- The President fired a warning shot to those hellbent on dividing Kenyans along political and ethnic lines.
- He reiterated that such leaders will not succeed as he is keen to bring together all Kenyans.
President William Ruto has moved to allay fears that he may abandon his allies or regions following his deal with opposition chief Raila Odinga.
Speaking during a service at ACK church in Bungoma on Sunday, Ruto said his deal with Raila is aimed at uniting the country and that no one should be scared of it.
“I know some people who voted for us are asking questions; they can see [Alego Usonga MP Samuel] Atandi [Raila’s ally] and all the other people are surging into this place [government],” he said.
“I want to tell you that God designed this country in a way that all of us belong in it."
"Whatever that is in Kenya, if we work together, we can bake a bigger cake that all of us can be satisfied. Nobody should worry about the unity of Kenya,” he added.
Some political observers have indicated that the Raila-Ruto political agreement would edge out some of his allies and bases, especially the Mt Kenya region.
“What I see is that the uncertainty that has been simmering between the President and his deputy, causing divisions in Mt Kenya, would mean that Mt Kenya is being replaced by Nyanza,” lawyer Elias Mutuma said.
Last week, the President received a heroic welcome in Raila’s Nyanza base, signalling a political pact for the 2027 general election.
Ruto visited Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori counties in the four-day development tour that ended on Saturday.
“In fact, if there is any worry, it is not the unity of Kenya. It is the disunity, if at all,” Ruto said during the service.
The president rooted for the unity of all Kenyans, adding that with unity, the country stands to unlock its full potential.
“I want to promise Kenyans that I will go out of my way, I will do whatever it takes, to make sure that this country is united and that no part of Kenya is left behind as we move into the future,” he said.
In a veiled attack on Azimio and leaders opposed to their unity with Raila, the President fired a warning shot to those hellbent on dividing Kenyans along political and ethnic lines.
He reiterated that such leaders will not succeed as he is keen to bring together all Kenyans.
“I want to promise and encourage us that those who want to divide us will fail and they will fail miserably. Those who want to speak to us sectarianism, ethnic, parochial regional politics will not succeed in this country,” he warned.
In an apparent reference to Raila, Ruto lauded leaders who have closed ranks and built alliances that unify the country.
The two former political foes turned friends have struck a political deal that saw the head of state back Raila for the African Union Commission chairmanship position.
The opposition chief, on the other hand, has released his four top allies to join the President’s Cabinet despite opposition from other Azimio partners.
“Every leader, those of us who have the privilege to be leaders in Kenya, at whatever level, we must understand and appreciate that we are leaders for the people of Kenya,” he said.