- Ruto said that he stood by Raila when he became the prime minister of Kenya.
- The President added that the move to a unity government shows true destiny for Kenyans.
Image: HANDOUT
President William Ruto has heaped praise on former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, hailing him as a true leader and a patriot for putting the interests of Kenyans first.
Speaking in Siaya on Friday during the homecoming ceremony of Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, Ruto said he has a history with ODM as he was part of its formation.
The president said Raila has repeatedly put his interest aside for the sake of the unity of the country.
This is even as Raila and Ruto joined hands to form the broad-based government where some ODM members were appointed into Cabinet.
"I want to thank my elder brother Raila Amollo Odinga for accepting to put our differences aside and unite, stabilise, progress, develop, and promote the security of Kenya. For accepting to put everything above the needs of the leaders and parties," Ruto said.
Ruto said that he stood by Raila when he became the Prime Minister of Kenya.
"To my friend Raila Odinga, I know you have been my competitor, I know you have been my party leader in the past, but today we stand together shoulder to shoulder for the greater good of Kenya. I salute you as a great Kenyan, a great patriot, a man who has a heart for our nation," the president added.
According to the President, his victory in the 2022 elections was not only his but for all Kenyans.
He added that with the formation of the broad-based government, Kenyans can now attest that his victory is for everyone.
"Even though we competed against each other, the victory I got was on behalf of all Kenyans. Even if you did not believe me that time that the victory belonged to us all, now you can verify for yourselves. Now the former Minority Leader in Parliament Opiyo Wandayi is a CS in the government," he added.
On Tuesday, Ruto officially unveiled Raila's African Union Commission chairmanship campaign.
Ruto unleashed a robust strategy to woo the continent into backing Kenya's AUC chairperson candidate.
To prove his determination to propel the Azimio leader for the influential job, Ruto brought to Nairobi three sitting presidents and two former heads of state who pledged their unwavering backing for Kenya.
Presidents Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), and Silva Kiir (South Sudan) attended Raila’s candidature launch at State House in Nairobi.
Burundi Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca represented President Évariste Ndayishimiye, while Rwanda President Paul Kagame was represented by his Foreign Affairs Minister James Kabarebe.
Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria) and Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania) were also present.
Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was also to attend but sent last-minute apologies.
To signal that the state will spare no effort to help Raila, Ruto has also set up a robust campaign secretariat for the former Prime Minister, roping in personnel from across the continent.
The President told the leaders the ODM leader is the best Africa can get, describing his former political rival as a wise, visionary pan-African who will “make Africa proud and powerful.”.
“I present to you a visionary pan-African, a bold and wise leader, a professional and technocrat, as well as a towering statesman and veteran mobiliser for positive change,” Ruto said at State House.
“I am confident that he [Raila] will give his utmost and do all it takes to make Africa proud and powerful.”