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Ruto must respect Uhuru’s right to support Raila

Wednesday, March 16th, 2022 00:00 | By
President Uhuru Kenyatta greets his Deputy William Ruto at Wang’uru Stadium in Kirinyaga county during this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations. PHOTO/PSCU

Sam Nyamweya 

Saturday marked a turning point in the future of Kenyan politics when more than 20 parties came together to offer their support for Raila Odinga in his quest to become the fifth President of Kenya. 

The excitement both at the KICC as parties signed a pact to join the Azimio la Umoja (forget the controversity it has elicited later) and at the Jacaranda Grounds where President Uhuru Kenyatta led thousands in offering support to Raila was clear evidence many Kenyans are ready for a Raila presidency. 

But it is disappointing that while Uhuru is trying to bring Kenyans together, his deputy William Ruto has resorted to all manner of name-calling and insults aimed at the President. 

Nobody is against Ruto’s quest for power, in fact, it is his democratic right, but he needs to respect Uhuru and the Presidency. 

Uhuru has his reasons for not supporting Ruto’s quest having worked with him for two presidential terms. It is his democratic right to support whoever he chooses to succeed him. 

It is, therefore, unfortunate that Ruto and his team have turned their campaign podium to insult Uhuru and Raila. Ruto must realise Kenya is bigger than any individual, himself included, and Kenyans have a right to choose who to lead them.

Ruto should be reminded nobody kicked him out of Jubilee or the government. It is his insatiable thirst for power that has seen him alienated by Uhuru, who has been keen on delivering on the promises he made to Kenyans in 2013 and 2017. 

Ruto should also be reminded the famous Handshake between Uhuru and Raila brought peace to this country which had been painfully divided after the 2017 elections and thanks to that, the economy has grown and development achieved. 

The DP should concentrate on his campaigns rather than launching personal attacks on the President. 

Raila’s track record is known to everyone and it is unfortunate Ruto and his team have labelled him a “State project” now that Uhuru and millions of Kenyans are supporting him. Raila is beyond being anybody’s project. 

We, the Kenyans who love peace, unity and development are backing Uhuru and Raila because we believe they mean well for this country. 

I have worked with both Uhuru and Ruto before in 2002 when we were all in Kanu and the late President Moi picked on Uhuru as his successor. Ruto supported Uhuru’s candidature then and never saw him as a project. What has changed now that Uhuru is supporting Raila? 

It is my opinion that respect must prevail. Ruto must respect the President and his democratic right to support whoever he wishes to be president in the August elections. 

Humility is a virtue in politics and I would advise my friend Ruto to practise it. 

— The writer is former FKF President and former YK92 treasurer

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