'Be humble, respect your chief campaigner!' Kenya Kwanza leaders slam Raila for criticising Ruto
Majority Leaders of both Houses of Parliament
have faulted opposition chief Raila Odinga over his criticism of the government,
urging him to respect President William Ruto who has publicly backed his
African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson bid.
Speaking
in Teso North, Busia County on Saturday, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruyot
and his National Assembly counterpart Kimani Ichung’wah took issue with Mr. Odinga
reprimanding Ruto’s regime despite the President being at the forefront to drum up
support for his AUC candidature.
MP
Ichung’wah boastfully told off Mr. Odinga against lecturing the President on
matters politics and the economy, saying Ruto had beaten him in
both issues by winning the 2022 elections and revamping the economy
respectively.
The
Kikuyu MP instead advised the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leader to show his
gratitude to the Head of State by staying humble.
“We
are asking our friend Raila, William Ruto understands the issues of the economy
better than you; he has turned the economy around. He also understands the
country’s politics because he defeated you during elections when you were backed
by the sitting government. He also understands world politics, that is why he
is helping you to become AUC Chair,” said Ichung’wah.
“If
you were to be helped my brother, humble yourself because the position we are
campaigning for you led by William Ruto is a position that calls for humility
and respect across the entire continent and the world. Be humble and respect
your chief campaigner Ruto, who is campaigning for you.”
Cheruiyot, on his part, noted that despite the President's efforts to
see Mr. Odinga clinch the AUC top seat, the Azimio leader seems unappreciative
and is instead bad-mouthing him rather than staying in his lane.
“We
all wish well for Raila to be AUC Chair however, yesterday I was surprised by
what I saw in the media. Wewe unatafutiwa kazi, badala ya kunyamaza utulie
polepole, unaanza kutusi chief campaigner wako. Sisi tunajaribu kumsaidia, yuko
chini ya mtaro tunamuinua, na kabla asimame ameshaanza kutusi wale
wanamsaidia,” said the Kericho Senator.
“Please,
be a decent gentleman and respect the fact that we are doing a magnanimous
thing by holding your hand to ensure you are the chair of AUC.”
The
two leaders were attending a fundraising drive at Chelelemuk in Busia
County to help flood victims.
President
Ruto's aide Farouk Kibet, Busia Governor Paul Otuoma and a host of MPs decried
the continued floods ravaging the country as they called on those in affected
areas to relocate to higher grounds to prevent more deaths.
“We
are asking locals especially here in Budalangi to be cautious of the flood
waters. Please start moving to safer places to protect yourselves,” Kibet said.
The
remarks come after Mr. Odinga on Friday criticized President Ruto's administration over its response to the ongoing heavy rains that have caused
havoc countrywide, insisting that the government should declare the flood situation a
national disaster.
“Wameshindwa...hata
wakipewa miaka 10 watashindwa...mawaziri hawana ujuzi wowote wa kuendeleza
serikali,” said Mr. Odinga then.
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