A week after celebrating Kenya’s 60th Jamhuri Day, President William Ruto has broken silence on the absence of his East African counterparts.

Speaking during an interview with local journalists on Sunday evening, the Head of State responded to a question raised by TV47’s senior anchor Grace Kuria Kanja.

“Do they normally attend our Jamhuri Day? No. How do you explain the absence of somebody who normally is not there?” the first in command began.

Another journalist chimed in, asking Ruto whether he sent out invites to Presidents Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Evariste Ndashimiye (Burundi), Paul Kagame (Rwanda).

Other East African Community (EAC) who ‘snubbed’ the national event were; Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Somalia) and Salva Kiir Mayardit (South Sudan). Only Ethiopia’s President Sahle-Work Zewde was in attendance.

“We did not invite them, and some of them came just because we are East Africans. Do I attend the national holidays of the other countries? I don’t. Does that mean there is a problem? No.”

However, in the wake of certain mockery statements from the neighboring heads of state, journalists pressed the president to ascertain the current status of our diplomatic relations.

“The relationship between Museveni and I is perfect. The relationship between Kenya and Tanzania is perfect,” he added.

On Jamhuri Day, Zanzibar’s President Hussein Ali Mwinyi explained Suluhu’s absence at the national event.

“At the moment President Hassan is leading government efforts in dealing with the deadly deluge,” he explained.

A few days prior, northern Tanzania experienced flash floods that led to death and displacement of people. President Suluhu was seen in different locations leading food aid donations and rescue operations.

The president was also pressed to explain the turn of events with the Democratic Republic of Congo which recalled their ambassador to Kenya over the weekend.

This comes at a time when the EAC member state is heading to its general elections.