Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja reportedly faced a surprising and public rebuff on Sunday evening when he was prevented from boarding President William Ruto’s plane en route to China. The flight was bound for Beijing, where the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is being held.
Sakaja, who had arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with Azimio leader Raila Odinga, was reportedly stopped by the president’s security team. Consequently, Raila was the only one permitted to board the plane. Eyewitnesses at the airport observed the scene, with one source noting, “Sisi tuliona tu Sakaja akiskumwa asiingie kwa ndege,” meaning, “We just saw Sakaja being pushed away from entering the plane.”
The reasons behind Sakaja’s exclusion from the flight remain unclear, leading to speculation and questions about the decision.
President Ruto, among several African heads of state attending the high-profile FOCAC summit in Beijing from September 4-6, 2024, is focusing on enhancing the China-Africa partnership. FOCAC is a crucial platform for discussing economic cooperation and development as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. All African nations, except Eswatini, are participating in the forum.
This visit marks Ruto’s first international trip since Kenya experienced significant protests led by Gen Z activists. These demonstrations have heightened pressure on the government, making the diplomatic mission to China even more critical as Ruto aims to bolster economic relations with one of Kenya’s key partners.
Ruto’s previous international engagement outside Africa was during the inaugural Korea-Africa summit on June 4, 2024. His attendance at the FOCAC summit underscores the significance of strengthening China-Africa relations, especially as African nations, including Kenya, seek to leverage this partnership for economic growth and infrastructure development.
