Mt Kenya Leaders Warn Ruto Against Handshake with Raila
President William Ruto is negotiating with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga while attempting to consolidate his base on Mount Kenya.
On Saturday, April 22, Ruto was confronted with the first phase of an impending storm in Mt. Kenya when the region’s leaders warned him directly that they would abandon the government if he shook hands with Raila, the opposition leader.
During a development tour in Meru County, Senator Kathuri Muringi expressed his displeasure with the government’s and Odinga’s bipartisan talks.
Muringi, who is also the vice-speaker of the senate, has warned that the Mount Kenya community will cut ties with Ruto like what occurred during the presidency of Uhuru Kenyatta. After shaking Raila’s hand in 2018, Kenyatta lost his backyard.
“If you make a mistake and shake hands with that individual, we will abandon you immediately.
“Submit to pressure from no one. We are prepared to support you in the bipartisan negotiations on behalf of the Senate, he stated.
In response to Murungi’s request, President Ruto assured the citizens that he would only discuss development initiatives and not politics.
He urged the citizens of Meru to work diligently and disregard those who seek to impede the nation’s economic development.
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“The path to development does not involve walking around with sufurias on your head and making noise. “The development path is to take your seeds, plant them in your shambas, and then harvest the fruits of your labor,” remarked the head of state.
Ruto also promised to complete stalled road projects and purchase milk coolers for the county’s residents.
“In partnership with the County Government, we will ensure that milk coolers reach every part of Meru County,” added the UDA party leader.
“The previous administration initiated approximately 430 kilometers of roads in Meru County. We had completed approximately 42% of the distance but still had approximately 200 kilometers to go.
“We initiated a special program to ensure the remaining roads are finished. These roads must be finished immediately,” continued Ruto.
In addition, the president promised that the government would spend 30 billion Kenyan Shillings to complete several regional dams, including Kathita, Dhingitu, Nkobu, Ura, and Timau.
Raila Odinga, the leader of Azimio, has threatened to recall mass protests in early May 2023, following the Ramadan celebrations. Raila argued that he would not actively participate in the bipartisan talks because Ruto had purchased and corrupted the legislature and held the judiciary hostage.
The opposition veteran demanded discussions similar to the 2008 National Accord, which led to the formation of the Grand Coalition government. However, the government reiterated that it would not be intimidated into ceding power or offering him a government position.
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