My Person-President Ruto Forges a New Friendship With Raila During Nyanza Tour
President William Ruto has described the new dynamics of his friendship with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, whom he characterized as a longtime ally.
During a tour of Mfangano Island in Homa Bay County, the President referred to Raila as ‘his person’, signaling a newfound truce between the two.
He went on to explain that his victory in the 2022 General Election was advantageous for himself, Raila supporters, and every other Kenyan and that he would collaborate with all legislators to secure his legacy.
To the delight of the audience, the head of state reminisced about his political journey with Raila before they fell out following the 2007 General Election.
He asserted that he advocated for the appointment of Raila as Prime Minister in the Grand Coalition Government of 2010 led by the late President Mwai Kibaki.
“For him to become a former prime minister, who looked for that post for him? Am I not the one who fought for it alongside other people?
“At that time I was a Raila person. However, since I became President, Raila has become my person. Is there any problem with that?” he stated.
On the other hand, he asserted that all Kenyans would be regarded and served equally under his administration, allaying any concerns that Nyanza would be left out of his development plan.
“I want to tell Nyanza residents they will be served by the government just like all Kenyans. No region in Kenya will be discriminated based on party or political affiliation.
“Kenya is one and we will work for all Kenyans. There is no one in the opposition in Kenya, opposition ends after the elections,” he reiterated.
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On Friday, October 6, the President spoke out against claims that his administration’s supporters own the government. This contradicts his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, who has consistently argued that the aforementioned individuals are government shareholders and should be granted top priority.
Raila Odinga, the leader of the opposition, has also criticized Gachagua in previous media appearances, stating that the nation’s leaders should unite rather than divide the nation.
Before Ruto’s Nyanza tour, Raila clarified that he was not opposed to the Vice President visiting his home region, adding that all Kenyans deserved to be served by their government. However, he believes that the travels should not be used to compel a territory to join Kenyanza.
“I do not want to prejudge the outcome of these National Dialogue Committee talks. Let us wait and see,” the ODM boss stated in an interview with KTN News on Wednesday, October 4.
In the meantime, Gachagua has also attempted to extend an olive branch to former President Uhuru Kenyatta, for whom he once worked as a Personal Assistant.
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As he sought to unite the entire country, the DP also urged his forces to cease attacks on the President. Political analysts believe that Ruto, Raila, and Gachagua are reading from the same script following the commencement of bipartisan discussions designed to unite the trio.
Uhuru Kenyatta has not yet responded to Gachagua’s request for a truce to end their dispute. Saturday, while speaking to PoliticalPulseChat, embattled Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni implored Gachagua to refrain from speaking about Uhuru and focus on other matters.
“Isn’t he the one who said that they had swallowed Jubilee Party? Let them leave the party alone,” Kioni stated.
My Person-President Ruto Forges a New Friendship With Raila During Nyanza Tour
