Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has commended former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for joining forces with President William Ruto to stabilise the country.
The former governor said Raila’s decision was an act of selflessness for the good of the country and not search for self gratification or glory.
Raila agreed to support President Ruto to stabilise the country at the height of the Gen Z-led protests that almost brought the Kenya Kwanza government to its knees.
The move, was however, received with mixed reactions from Kenyans and leaders with some terming it a betrayal of the course for agitation for change.
But in a statement on Saturday, Kidero said those critical of Raila's decision were missing the bigger picture.
He said Raila's decision was a sacrifice he made for the sake of future generations.
“It was never about his own benefit. Some people may not understand this, but they should really just be quiet if they don't know the full story,” Kidero said in a statement on Facebook.
“Raila made a difficult decision to be a part of the broad-based government, and it wasn't an easy one to make. Raila’s sacrifice was a selfless act that was made with the future of Kenya in mind.”
According to Kidero, Raila’s presence in government will help shape policies and decisions that would benefit the people of Kenya for years to come.
Kidero told off Raila critics saying they may not be aware of the benefits and the sacrifices behind it.
“Those who criticise him should take a step back. It was about doing what was best for his country and its people. Some people may criticise Raila for his decision, but they don't see the bigger picture,” Kidero said.
“They are short-sighted and fail to understand the long-term impact of his sacrifice. They should really just be quiet and appreciate the sacrifices that Raila has made for the betterment of Kenya.”
President Ruto has on several occasions defended his move to incorporate the opposition in government saying leaders from both political divide should rally behind them.
Ruto appealed to leaders who do not support the broad-based government to do so in the spirit of patriotism.
He said the unity and transformation of the country are more important than the selfish, personal and political interests of leaders.
“I want to tell fellow leaders that this is not the time for us to be disunited, to think about selfish interests or our political formations. This is the time to think about Kenya,” he said.
“Let us all work together towards transformation, progress and unity so that we can overcome poverty.”
Raila acknowledged that Ruto reached out to him to help stabilise the country by donating experts from his ODM party.
It was at the time street protests had turned ugly with calls for the President to step down, forcing his to fire his entire Cabinet on July 11 and reconstitute a new one.
He brought on board four of Raila's lieutenants Hassan Joho, Opiyo Wandayi, Wycliffe Oparanya and John Mbadi, a move that seemingly calmed discontent among Kenyans and brought sobriety in the country.
Raila has, however, maintained that he is not part of government as there was no written agreement to that effect.
The former Prime Minister is currently not engaged in local politics as he has set his eyes on the African Union Commission chairmanship whose elections are slated for February 2025.