•The two Heads of State signed five memoranda of understanding for development.
•On Friday, President Ruto once again vowed to use all means to stop the Opposition leader.
Image: PCS
President William Ruto has had a week of political headaches and warnings.
Ruto has tied up his sleeves and warned the Opposition against holding any more protests.
However, the President's week started on a high note when he chaired the inaugural high-level meeting on the Sudan Peace process in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Other than Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Djibouti were also part of the peace meeting.
They discussed steps that can be taken to have an inclusive civilian process that will lead to lasting peace in Sudan.
He urged the warring factions in Sudan to declare an unconditional ceasefire.
On Tuesday, July 11, 2023 the President talked tough on the Raila Odinga led protests.'
While issuing title deeds in Embakasi, Nairobi, Ruto called on the opposition to desist from the Wednesday-planned protests saying their actions will sabotage his economic development plan.
"I will not allow you to sabotage that plan because you have done it for so many years. This is not the year you're going to succeed," he said.
Image: PCS
Opposition chief Raila Odinga has vowed to lead his supporters to the streets for another anti-government protest on Wednesday.
The protests are expected to take place in major parts of the country as Raila has already dispatched key members of the Azimio coalition to lead the demonstrations at the grassroots level.
On Maandamano day, Ruto hosted the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at State House.
The two Heads of State signed five memoranda of understanding for development.
They include MoU on cooperation in information, communication and technology, fisheries, animal health and livestock Production and Investment Promotion.
The protests left nine people dead and a visibly angry President warned the Opposition that Wednesday's protests were the last.
Speaking in Tharaka Nithi on Thursday, Ruto fired yet another warning shot at the Azimio La Umoja coalition warning that his government will not permit demonstrations going forward.
The President said the protests have led to the loss of lives and properties.
"We will not allow the handshake brothers to hold our country ransom and to take it, hostage, by causing violence, mayhem and anarchy. Tutawakalia ngumu vile mumesema, they will not succeed," he said.
A tough-talking President vowed the government will do everything possible to stop more violent demonstrations that have so far left scores dead and property worth millions of shillings damaged.
"Raila Odinga, I won't allow you to seek power on the back of the blood of Kenyans. I will stop you," Ruto said.
The President said that he would personally deal with the demonstrations that have been called by the opposition to protest the rising cost of living.
“Raila should learn that elections ended last year and we shall not allow any extra-constitutional means to join the government,” Ruto said.
Image: PCS
On Friday, President Ruto once again vowed to use all means to stop the Opposition leader.
"Raila Odinga, I won't allow you to seek power on the back of the blood of Kenyans. I will stop you," he said.
President Ruto was reacting to an announcement by Azimio that their protests will now happen for three days non-stop, beginning next week.
The head of state also called out Raila for employing unconstitutional means to get into the government, insisting that it will not happen.
Ruto has previously reiterated his stand that there will never be a handshake with Raila.
"No demonstration is going to take place on Wednesday. It is not possible, this man (Raila Odinga)has brought chaos to this country which has led to many deaths. He kept on interfering with Mwai Kibaki's administration, Uhuru Kenyatta's and now the other day he led protests and properties were destroyed," he said.
"That path that you are taking, I want to assure you that I am going to take you on and I will not allow it to happen." Ruto added.
On Saturday, the President headed to Homa Bay for the homecoming ceremony of Interior PS Raymond Omollo.
In a more relaxed tone, Ruto told the people of Nyanza that his government is all-inclusive, explaining why he appointed Nyanza leaders in his government.
He revealed why he appointed Interior PS Raymond Omollo and Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF) Francis Omondi Ogolla to the powerful positions.
Ruto said he appointed the two to the positions to demonstrate that there are no seats reserved for certain regions which voted overwhelmingly for the government.
He said many thought the position of PS for Interior would go to the region that voted for him in large numbers.
“I deliberately appointed the young man because I wanted to break the jinx that, always, these positions belong to certain places,” the President explained.
On Sunday( today), Ruto will be joining other African presidents for the Fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (5th MYCM) of the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities, the Regional Mechanisms
The meeting will be held at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Headquarters in Nairobi.
Image: PCS