President William Ruto, Raila Odinga and other leaders at the funeral of the former PM's bodyguard George Oduor in Ndori, Siaya County/PCSPresident William Ruto has said that history will judge former Prime Minister Raila Odinga fairly because he has always stood up for Kenya when it mattered most.
Speaking in Ndori, Saiya county on Saturday, Ruto said that every chance Raila has had to stand for the country, he has taken it and that he is proud their paths crossed.
The President said when the ODM leader chose to work with him, he did so purely for the benefit of the entire country as opposed to his personal interests.
“For avoidance of doubt, when Baba came to stand with me, it was not about him, his interest, parochial or sectarian or narrow interest, it’s about the greater interest of Kenya," he said.
"History is going to judge Raila Odinga fairly that whenever there is an opportunity to stand for nation, he has always stood for the nation. I'm very proud our paths crossed and we have come this journey together,” Ruto said.
The head of state had attended the burial of Raila’s long-serving aide and bodyguard, George Oduor, in Ndori near Bondo.
Oduor, 57, passed away on Wednesday, April 2, at a hospital in Nairobi after a short illness.
He had been Raila’s bodyguard since 1995.
Ruto noted that together with Raila, they have come a long way.
He admitted that at no time did he think that the man he once worked under would one day become his opponent and eventually the anchor behind his leadership.
“I have come a very long way with Raila Odinga and I want to stand here today and say I did not know that the man I stood by and gave my all at a moment in my life we would eventually become competitors and would eventually come and anchor my leadership.
“Prime Minister, I want to tell you I''m truly grateful that just the same way I stood with you when you needed a man to stand with you, you have equally come to stand with me when I needed a man to stand with me. I'm truly grateful," he said.
