‘We encourage our friends in opposition to continue holding govt to account’- Ruto to Raila

President William Ruto has encouraged opposition leaders to continue holding his administration accountable.

Speaking during a church service on Sunday, December 11, 2022, the Head of State noted that he has no issue with opposition leader Raila Odinga calling for demos and pointing out the wrongs in his administration since it is all for the good of the country.

He also acknowledged the opposition leaders' efforts in vetting his administration's performance and calling for changes where necessary.

“Our fellow leaders in the opposition are planning demonstrations and also pinpointing where they think we have gone wrong. I want to encourage them to continue. We wish them well in their endeavours," he said.

He however urged the leaders aforementioned to discharge their duties diligently and enhance a peaceful environment even as they try to call for changes.

"We encourage our friends in the opposition, we have no quarrel with them doing their oversight role. All we are asking is that we must do this in a peaceful and patriotic manner," Ruto said.

The commander-in-chief also affirmed that he was a firm believer in an accountable government and reiterated that the opposition played a key role in keeping the government in check.

Further, he vowed to ensure that his administration delivers on their mandated roles to the citizens.

Earlier, Deputy President Gachagua echoed Ruto's sentiments regarding Raila's role as an opposition leader.

“Now he is leading things the right way and has accepted he is in the opposition. We want a strong and vibrant opposition to keep us in check, criticise us when we don’t do things the right way and continue asking questions and we shall provide the answers,” Gachagua stated.

The DP also said the government would have no problem with the opposition as long as it executed its mandate in the right way. He said that had the former Prime Minister remained in the opposition instead of cooperating with the Jubilee government after the 2017 election, he would have helped take the country forward.

“He would have stopped the extra-judicial killings, State capture, theft of public funds, conflict of interest among others but he did not question because he was in the government,” said Gachagua. “Being in the opposition is the work given to you by the people, take it and do it well,” he added.

In the past few weeks, Raila has criticised Ruto’s administration on tax review, probe on the extra-judicial killings and failure to bring down the cost of living.