Prominent businessman and billionaire Jaswant Rai on Tuesday, October 31, resurfaced during King Charles’ visit in Kenya.
In a video that has since gone viral, the renowned businessman was introduced to King Charles as the owner of a building in Nairobi’s Westlands when the United Kingdom’s Monarch visited the facility.
Rai was seen shaking the King’s hand before ushering him and his entourage comprising Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and other dignitaries inside.
“That is the owner of the building,” an unidentified voice in the background was heard informing the visiting King.
Subsequently, Kenyans on social media reacted to the video, with a majority questioning Rai’s connection in the King’s visit.
“Can we have all of you telling us how he got to the point of welcoming King Charles III?” an X user named Kulo Conrad posed.
King Charles on Tuesday tortured several parts of Nairobi including Uhuru Gardens, Kayole, and Westlands in his packed itinerary of events.
However, the King’s agenda in the Westlands building was not yet clear.
Billionaire Rai wrangles with Ruto
Rai’s appearance came months after his alleged kidnapping by yet to be identified people, an incident that came on the back of wrangles with state.
Also Read: Sugar Billionaire Jaswant Singh Rai Released After Ruto’s Warning
In a report filed in August, Rai’s family reported his disappearance to the police sending the nation to speculations over what could have become of the businessman with a vast portfolio ranging from sugar to timber.
24 hours later, however, the billionaire resurfaced with his lawyer confirming that he was released by unknown people.
In a CCTV footage shared on social media, unknown people were seen whisking Rai away from his car in Nairobi.
Whilst speculations pointed to the state’s involvement in the alleged abduction, security agencies distanced themselves from the case and instead launched a probe into the case.
Interestingly, his alleged kidnapping came amid a heated conversation sparked by President William Ruto’s firm stance vowing to ensure reforms in the sugar sector.
Also Read: Billionaire Jaswant Singh Rai Clarifies Reports of Relocating from Kenya
Addressing a church service in Bungoma County, the President sounded a warning to cartels in the sugar industry, vowing to firmly deal with all who were working to undermine reforms.
In what turned out to be popular, the President coined the “mambo ni matatu” phrase, referring to the three options he gave to anyone who would stand in between his push for reforms to ensure sugar farming benefits farmers.
At the time all speculations pointed to Rai, with Kenyans linking Ruto’s remarks to Rai’s businesses. Among the options mentioned by Ruto in his speech included one to leave Kenya and another one to go to jail.
However, it is his third option stating that cartels in the sector would have to choose “going to heaven” that subjected him to criticism.
His sentiments were interpreted in some quarters as threats to Rai and even saw one civil society organization sue the President.
In a case filed at the Milimani Law Courts, a group named Operation Linda Jamii filed a petition to have the President rescind his remarks and offer an unconditional apology.
However, Rai would later dispel rumors that he was planning to shut down his company’s operations in Kenya.
