On September 19, President William Ruto took a bus to Westminister Abbey in order to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London, England.
According to the pictures, Ruto was seated behind First Lady Rachel Ruto on the bus that took dignitaries to the event.
Brigadier Timothy Lekolool, who was with him when he landed, was not his aid de camp. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu was seated in front of the first lady.
President Ruto happy in a bus headed to Buckingham Palace to attend state reception in honor of Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/L90nAq2Yeq
— Kenyans.co.ke (@Kenyans) September 19, 2022
Following that, Ruto entered the church in a procession with other international leaders. The commentator acknowledged both his and President Suluhu’s attendance.
“Kenya’s new president William Ruto is attending, his first international trip as president,” stated the orator.
On September 18, the President flew into London and was met by a delegation that was led by Manoah Esipisu, Kenya’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. The new monarch and Ruto have not yet met.
Prior to the burial, leaders were required to abide by strict guidelines; nevertheless, some leaders were excluded. President of the United States of America Joe Biden drove his customized Cadillac One, known as the “Beast,” to Buckingham Palace.
Few officials, including President Biden, met King Charles III to convey their sympathies. Others include Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The Monarch established the bus schedule and business policies for the VVIPs who attended the funeral service. Presidents could only travel with their spouses when using helicopters between airports and events in the UK.
“We regret that, because of limited space at the state funeral service and associated events, no other members of the principal guest’s family, staff or entourage may be admitted,” the message from the UK read in part.
All the leaders will also be escorted on foot to a reception hosted by Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.
They will then board a bus with other leaders and return to West London, where they will pick a car to ferry them around the UK or embark on other international duties.
Here are some of the comments on Twitter:
Ken Tanui: Humbling bus ride makes our leaders relate well with citizens. It doesn’t make them lesser in anyway. Lots of lessons they will learn and bring them home.
Chris k: Why are people angry.. HOW YOU ALLOW TO BE TREATED, IS JUST HOW YOU WILL BE TREATED..
USA came with their principles and they dint allow any less for their head of state. But African leaders.. Guess Collonisation has never left their heads.
DAVID KIANA: This is a security breach. How do you transport all those presidents in bus. Sema madharau
Austin Tunoi: Enyewe queen is Her Majesty. Yani only the US, G7 and royal families from Middle East and Europe used private cars😳. Anyway using a bus in Western Europe is not a sign of poverty/humility. They have good public transport and even the rich and politicians use it once in a while.
Papichulo: Security my foot… Biden entered the palace in his armoured Limousine…What is superpower? These are African PRESIDENTS. Come to kenya next time and we’ll put you kwa matatu za Kasarani😏
Abe Lincoln: So the bus was only for African presidents right. Samia Suluhu looks embarrassed.
