President William Ruto on Monday skipped the Kenya Prisons Service officer cadets’ passing-out parade in Ruiru, with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki stepping in to represent him at the high-profile ceremony.
The President had been expected to preside over the event, but failed to show up the last minute, making his absence notable.
Prof Kindiki read the President’s speech and presided over the commissioning of 36 cadet officers who had completed their training.
The ceremony at the Kenya Prisons Service training institution in Ruiru brought together senior government officials and security chiefs as the new officers formally joined the service.
There was no immediate explanation for President Ruto’s absence from the ceremony, leaving his decision not to attend as the main talking point around an otherwise routine State function.
The Deputy President’s appearance ensured that the presidential function proceeded as planned, with Prof Kindiki performing the duties ordinarily reserved for the Head of State at such an occasion.
The development comes at a time when every movement and public appearance by the President is being closely watched as political formations position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ruto has increasingly used public functions to articulate his administration’s record and political message, making changes to his official programme a subject of interest, particularly where a senior official is brought in to stand in for him.
For the 36 newly commissioned officers, however, the ceremony marked the culmination of 13 months of training and the beginning of their careers in the Kenya Prisons Service.
