In a surprising turn of events, the 60th Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kericho were left in awe as the anticipated chief guest, Angolan President João Lourenço, failed to grace the occasion despite his initial confirmation.
President Lourenço’s absence at the Kericho Green Stadium left many puzzled, as this marked the first instance in recent history where a state chief guest did not attend an event despite being in the host country a day earlier.
The disappointment was palpable among the attendees, eagerly awaiting the Angolan leader’s presence. The Angolan Foreign Minister, Tete António, stepped in to offer an explanation, citing unforeseeable reasons for President Lourenço’s absence.
“On behalf of the President, I would first like to convey his apologies. He would have loved to be here, but for unforeseen reasons, he could not make it to Kericho, but he sent you a warm greeting,” stated the diplomat.
President Lourenço and his wife, Ana Dias Lourenço, had arrived in the country the previous evening, welcomed by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Despite this warm reception, the Angolan leader’s absence raised questions and curiosity among the attendees.
Kenya’s own President, William Ruto, confirmed the presence of the visiting President in the country and assured that the official visit and discussions with the government would commence on Saturday, October 21.
Mudavadi, who also serves as the Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, revealed that President Lourenço was scheduled to conclude his visit on October 20 after engaging in bilateral discussions with Ruto. The lingering uncertainty remained, leaving everyone wondering if the Angolan President would extend his stay.
The unexpected turn of events left the Mashujaa Day celebration tinged with a sense of mystery, with attendees and onlookers speculating about the reasons behind President Lourenço’s absence and whether there was more to the story than met the eye.
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