President Uhuru Kenyatta enjoys ice cream in first public appearance since elections

President Uhuru Kenyatta Wednesday, August 31, made his first public appearance since the August 9 General Election.

President Kenyatta and Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, outgoing Mombasa county boss, Hassan Joho, and Governor-elect Abdulswamad Nassir, had lunch at the Barka Restaurant in Mombasa, where they were served Swahili dishes.

The President, who waved to the crowds as they took a 500-metre walk from the Central Police Station, also had ice cream at a shop opposite the General Post Office.

Before lunch, Uhuru met Joho, Mung’aro, Nassir at the governor’s office. Details of the meetings remained scanty.

Other leaders at the meeting included Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki, MPs-elect Mohammed Machele (Mvita), Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Badi Twalib (Jomvu) and Naisula Lesuuda (Samburu West), and Nairobi Woman Rep-elect Esther Passaris.

Also present was former Murang’a Woman Rep Sabina Chege.

This was not the first time the President had a meal at the restaurant, where he loves eating seafood and pilau.

Since the elections, Uhuru has not been seen in public. He has also not commented on the polls outcome, with some Kenya Kwanza leaders criticising him for not congratulating President-elect William Ruto.

During a TV interview before the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya candidate Raila Odinga filed a petition at the Supreme Court, Deputy President-elect Rigathi Gachagua raised concern over the “continued silence by the head of the state”.

He said the President should address the nation, but admitted the Azimio Council chairman was not obligated to congratulate the winners.

“Even if he does not want to congratulate Ruto he should do the honourable and send a message of peace to Kenyans,” said the former Mathira MP.

Gachagua also played down Uhuru’s silence, saying their inauguration would proceed since the presence of the Chief Justice and Chief Registrar of the Judiciary was all that was required.

“President Kenyatta hasn’t spoken to President-elect Ruto either through phone call or any other means. It is his right because we cannot force him,” he said.

“If he doesn’t want to congratulate the president-elect, it is okay… but plans for William Ruto to take over leadership of the country is going on smoothly since it is in the Constitution.”  Despite his silence, the President has assured of a smooth power transition.