What was intended to be a high-profile inspection of regional development in Garissa took an unexpected turn on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, when three key Cabinet Secretaries were unable to join President William Ruto on the ground.
CS Wycliffe Oparanya, Alfred Mutua, and Salim Mvurya were scheduled to accompany the President for a series of events but were grounded after their flight experienced a mechanical issue shortly before take-off.
Authorities say the flight crew’s caution likely prevented a more serious incident.
The absence of the CSs was most notable during the NYOTA Capital Disbursement ceremony at Garissa High School.
Health CS Aden Duale addressed the empty chairs, offering a formal apology to President Ruto and briefing attendees on the technical glitch, stressing that safety had to come first despite the disruption to the day’s itinerary.
Presidential Agenda Remains on Track
Despite the logistical hiccup, President Ruto continued with his schedule, inspecting the Garissa Airstrip—a project that is reportedly ahead of schedule and within budget.
The upgrade is part of a broader strategy to transform the airstrip into a regional hub, unlocking economic potential for North Eastern Kenya.
The day highlighted a contrast: while a major infrastructure project celebrated a successful take-off, three of the government’s senior-most officials were temporarily grounded due to safety concerns.
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