Raila to Muslims: Ruto doesn’t have your interests at heart
ODM leader Raila Odinga has warned Muslims not to be hoodwinked by Deputy President William Ruto, saying he has never had their interests at heart.
According to Raila, who has been on a charm offensive in the Coast, Ruto opposed the inclusion of the Kadhi Court in the 2010 Constitution as well as devolution which hasve greatly benefited the Coast region.
Speaking during an Eid get-together in Mombasa, Raila said delivering the 2010 Constitution was not a walk in the park, as they had to battle it out with Ruto who led the No side.
He urged Kenyans not to relent but to stay focused on transformation and reforms agenda captured by the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), that is currently the subject of a dispute at the Court of Appeal.
Wrong choice
Raila observed that Ruto cannot purport to spearhead a campaign agenda based on the ideology of economic reforms, when he has openly been opposed to the initiative which, he says, aims to pump more resources to counties.
“We fought out and defeated the No campaign which was led by Ruto at that time and he is here again opposing constitutional reforms brought by BBI. What I want to assure you is that Reggae is only on half time and it will bounce back,” said ODM leader.
He dismissed Ruto’s quest for the presidency in 2022, saying the DP will be the wrong choice given his record of “frustrating” reforms. Raila, who was accompanied by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, among other leaders, called on the Muslim community to stay focused.
Joho said the Coast region has a reason why they stick with Raila and exuded confidence that ODM will form the next government of which he will be part of, in whichever capacity.
Joho, however, said he was still in the race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta through the ODM party.
Wrong choice
“I will battle it out with Raila and any other candidate in getting the presidential ticket and may the best candidate win. In the Coast region, nobody will take us away from our agenda to follow the wheelbarrow,” said Joho in what is was seen as attacking Ruto who accomplished his coast tour a day ago ,
Joho pleaded with Central Kenya leaders to stick with President Uhuru Kenyatta and ensure UDA does not enjoy majority support in the next elections.
Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir and Junet assured ODM supporters that the party will reveal its 2022 candidate soon, a move they said, will be a game changer in Kenya’s politics.
Majority Leader Amos Kimunya who accompanied Raila said the Handshake between Uhuru and Raila has the full support of people from Central Kenya.
On revcovery of the economy, Raila advised the President to fasttrack Covid-19 vaccination to ensure over 15 million Kenyans are vaccinated to give way for the opening up of the country.
“Kenya needs to lead as an example in Africa hence I am supporting raising of the debt ceiling, to ensure government purchases vaccines and conducts massive vaccination and also to come up with an economic stimulus package, that will help the vulnerable.
That is the only way that can lead to opening up of the economy. That is what countriues like United Kingdom, United States and China have done,” said Raila.
During the forum CAS Rachael Shebesh endorsed Raila for the 2022 presidency.
