The event, held at Mayuba Stadium in Sirisia, had been organised by the legislator and was expected to draw significant attention following confirmation that the Head of State would attend.
Preparations had reportedly been completed in anticipation of the presidential visit. However, the plans changed at the last minute, with President Ruto cancelling the trip and instead sending Senate Majority Leader and Nandi Senator Aaron Cheruiyot to represent him.
Addressing the crowd after the final match, Waluke expressed frustration over the turn of events and claimed that certain political leaders from Bungoma County had influenced the decision to block the president’s visit.
He said the situation was disappointing, particularly given the level of planning that had gone into hosting the Head of State.
The Sirisia MP accused a senior political figure in the county of deliberately frustrating his efforts to host the president.
While acknowledging the individual’s political strength and dominance in Bungoma, Waluke warned that extending such hostility beyond the current incident could have serious political consequences.
Waluke maintained that the president had personally confirmed attendance, only for the visit to be derailed by what he described as unnecessary local politics.
He noted that the cancellation came after all logistical arrangements had already been put in place.
"We had planned everything, even where the president would eat and sleep, but in the end I was told that the president is not coming. How?” Waluke posed.
Although Waluke did not directly name anyone, his remarks were widely interpreted as being directed at either Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa or the Ford Kenya party leadership led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who are close allies of Ruto.
Waluke has been involved in run-ins with Barasa and the Ford Kenya party over the 2027 Bungoma gubernatorial race.
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