In the clip Omar extends his hand toward the President but instead of a firm conventional handshake Ruto ends up touching the area between the elbow and fingers.
The moment appeared awkward and observers have been divided over whether it was deliberate or simply a matter of circumstance.
The event was also attended by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir who defeated Omar in the 2022 gubernatorial race on an ODM ticket.
The presence of both men alongside Ruto added another layer of tension to an already politically charged moment.
Omar is widely expected to challenge Nassir again in the 2027 Mombasa gubernatorial race.
He has been a vocal defender of Ruto's administration and has publicly urged Kenyans to give the President time rather than engage in disruptive protests.
In Kenya's political culture handshakes carry enormous symbolic weight. They signal respect alliances and standing.
A greeting that deviates from the norm rarely escapes public scrutiny especially when it involves the President and a senior party official.
Supporters of Omar have dismissed the controversy arguing the greeting was misread and that his loyalty to Ruto remains unwavering.
They point to his consistent public messaging backing the administration even during difficult moments of economic pressure and public unrest.
Critics however see the episode as a window into deeper tensions within UDA and the complex dynamics shaping the race for Mombasa.
With 2027 drawing closer the county has become a high-stakes battleground between Omar's UDA machinery and Nassir's grassroots support base.
Governor Nassir has built his administration around port economy development title deeds and service delivery.
Omar on the other hand leans on his activism background and senatorial experience to make his case to voters.
The viral clip has reignited questions about loyalty and political ambition within the ruling coalition at a time when national economic pressures are already testing public confidence in leadership across the country.
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