Kioni Denounces Odinga’s Allegations, Accuses Raila of Misleading Public on Kenyatta’s Role in Ruto Deal
Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni has dismissed Raila Odinga’s accusations that former President Uhuru Kenyatta played a role in shaping President William Ruto’s inclusive government.
Kioni strongly refuted Odinga’s allegations in a Wednesday press conference, accusing the opposition leader of attempting to smear Kenyatta’s name following what Kioni called a misguided decision to collaborate with Ruto.
Odinga’s recent claims implied that Kenyatta had encouraged him to engage with Ruto to address the national crisis heightened by Gen Z protests.
According to Odinga, the country was nearing collapse due to the unrest, and Kenyatta had supposedly pushed him to initiate talks with Ruto to restore order.
However, Kioni labeled these claims as false and misleading. He pointed to a July 25 letter from Kenyatta, where the former president expressed sorrow over the deaths during the protests and urged elected leaders to listen to the people.
Kioni argued that Kenyatta has consistently been critical of Ruto’s administration, condemning its policies as harmful to Kenyans.
“Kenyatta’s position is clear: he opposes joining a government that has caused widespread suffering and corruption,” Kioni asserted. “The idea that Kenyatta would support a partnership with Ruto’s administration is completely baseless.”
Kioni also condemned Odinga for allegedly using Kenyatta’s name to divert attention from his controversial decision to work with the Kenya Kwanza government.
He suggested that Odinga’s move to form a broad-based government was a strategic error, driven by his waning support among Kenyans.
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“Dragging others into your mistakes doesn’t absolve you of responsibility,” Kioni remarked. “When you err, it’s crucial to acknowledge it rather than shifting blame.”
Kioni also reflected on the broader political landscape, accusing Odinga of consistently misleading the public for his benefit.
He referenced the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report, accusing Odinga of keeping the Azimio team in the dark while conducting secretive talks with the government.
“The NADCO situation is a clear example of Odinga’s methods—engaging with government figures like Obasanjo without being fully transparent with his team,” Kioni stated.
The Jubilee Party Secretary General rejected the idea that Kenyatta had urged Odinga to negotiate with Ruto for the sake of national unity.
According to Kioni, Kenyatta’s current political stance contradicts the narrative presented by Odinga.
“Odinga’s claims that Kenyatta encouraged him to engage with Ruto are false,” Kioni concluded. “Kenyatta’s recent actions and statements clearly show he does not support this government.”
Kioni Denounces Odinga’s Allegations, Accuses Raila of Misleading Public on Kenyatta’s Role in Ruto Deal
