Ruto and Raila exchange friendly fire as they share same podium
President William Ruto and Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga on Saturday engaged in a friendly banter as they shared the same podium during burial of freedom fighter Field Marshal Mukami Kimathi in Nyandarua.
While President Ruto, said he clearly understand how Mr Odinga operates politically, the latter said he knows the head of state will soon calm down despite the current political heat between them.
Addressing the mourners, President Ruto attributed his victory in last year’s election to his deep knowledge of Mr Odinga’s political strategies.
“I know Raila well and that’s why I beat him while he was with Uhuru (Kenyatta). I knew the steps he would take after the election results were announced. I also knew he would hold a few maandamanos here and there. And I also know the end game,” President Ruto said amid cheers from the mourners.
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In what was the first public meeting between the two leaders since last year’s polls, Mr Odinga, on his part, said he is not afraid to fight for the rights of common mwananchi, as the the departed Mau Mau freedom fighter did, and that he will keep telling President Ruto the truth.
“I know some may not tell him (the truth), but I am telling him that punda amechoka,” Mr Odinga said, while reiterating that he is against chaos.
Mr Odinga also recounted his special relationship with the fallen freedom fighter.
“She told me that she was tired of living in a rental house and I bought her a house,” Mr Odinga said.
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He also revisited the issue of the high cost of living in the country, while appealing to President Ruto’s government to stop burdening Kenyans with taxes.
“There is no need for adding more taxes to wananchi while the cost of living continues to rise,” he said.
Since last year’s elections, President Ruto and Mr Odinga have heightened their hostilities over the outcome of the polls.
The two leaders have also lately differed over the high cost of living in the country, the appointment of new IEBC commissioners, state appointments, the Shakahola deaths saga and the Finance Bill 2023.
As a result of these differences, Mr Odinga has been holding protests to pressure the government to meet the demands of the opposition. Azimio has since halted the demos to allow for the ongoing bilateral talks with the government.
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