Raila Odinga: Ruto has no moral authority to lecture us

Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga addresses supporters during his tour of Homabay County. [Michael Mute, Standard]

Azimio la Umoja One-Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga yesterday urged his Kenya Kwanza competitor William Ruto to prepare for a tough contest and not disregard him as a lightweight.

Raila said Ruto had taken him for granted for a long time, thinking he is a coward, and that he must now get ready for a resounding defeat in the August 9 General Election.

“I hear Ruto is always telling President Uhuru to leave me alone with him so that he can deal with me. But I want to tell him that he cannot deal with me. A fellow man cannot dare me like that and yet I have my people who will vote for me at 100 per cent,” he said.

He was speaking at Agoro Sare Secondary School and Kendu Bay Show Ground during his tour of Homa Bay County.

“I have asked him to bring his people so that we face each other on August 9 instead of making political propaganda.”

He asked the deputy president to respect his elders.

“That young man (Ruto) calls me Mzee wa kitendawili and other names. He thinks I am his age mate. I will put an end to his insults on 9th of August,” Raila said.

He claimed the DP was the cause of the high cost of living and therefore he had no moral authority to lecture anyone about the same.

The former prime minister asked his Nyanza backyard to turn out 100 per cent on election day and send Ruto home.

He told residents not to fear the long queues at the polling stations on D-Day.

“The queues will be long all over the country but brave it and come out in large numbers to vote so that I can deal with Ruto appropriately,” Raila said.

Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate William Ruto. [DPPS]

Since he began his tour of the region on Thursday in Migori County, Raila has been appealing for 100 per cent voter turnout.

He sold his manifesto to the residents, saying his government will transform the lives of Kenyans.

“You can see the good things we managed to do even without being in government, so you can imagine what will happen when we acquire presidency. I have a lot of things for you my people. I want us to finish the journey my father started,” Raila said.

His lieutenants also chided the DP, whom they accused of dishonouring the offices of the president and deputy president. They said the DP has no formidable plan for the country and has instead opted to tarnish the names of other people.

Suna East MP Junet Mohamed said Ruto has brought shame to the office of the deputy presidency through his constant attacks on his boss.

“Ruto is also showing signs of dictatorship,” said Junet.

Junet claimed Ruto has had problems with President Kenyatta since 2016 and dismissed claims by the DP that the Handshake was to blame for their woes with the president. 

ODM deputy leader Hassan Joho told Ruto to respect Raila.

“You must respect Raila because he will be your next president,” Joho said. Rangwe MP Lilian Gogo said Ruto should respect Raila as a person who groomed him politically.