NASA leader Raila Odinga has made a sensational claim about Deputy President William Ruto’s chances of becoming President in 2022. Even as the country waits to see if he will be sworn-in as the People’s President, Raila couldn’t resist being drawn into 2022 politics.
The former Prime Minister was speaking in Kedowa village, Kipkelion East, during the burial of Kipkelion East ODM chairman William Koech yesterday.
He claimed that DP William Ruto would need his support to be President. Raila was repeating his earlier remarks that Uhuru never won the presidential election in 2013 and 2017.
“Jubilee leaders know deep in their hearts and Uhuru also knows that he did not beat Raila. Even Ruto…. if he wants (the presidency) he can’t get it without Raila.
“I can help him get there if he wants.”
Responding to Odinga’s remarks, the Deputy President’s spokesman David Mugonyi said Ruto’s focus was on the delivery of Jubilee agenda.
“We thought Raila had an agreement with Kalonzo Musyoka in 2022,” Mr Mugonyi said.
“For us, our concern right now is to deliver to Kenyans and not 2022 politics.”
Raila was accompanied by Cotu boss Francis Atwoli, Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, Kericho ODM secretary Nicholas Tum, and Bomet ODM chairman Ronald Ng’eny.
Junet said Kenyans are ready to swear-in Raila as the people’s president on Tuesday at Uhuru Park and no amount of threats will stop them.
“He had been jailed for nine years before and this one will not be new to those who support him,” the MP said.
Atwoli urged President Uhuru to extend an olive branch to Raila by holding dialogue before Tuesday.
“The only thing I’m asking Uhuru and Raila is to meet and dialogue over the stalemate they are locked in to avert a situation similar to the 2007-08 post-election violence,” Atwoli said.
NASA announced it will hold the crucial launch of nationwide pre-inauguration festivities in Raila’s home turf of Nyanza on Saturday.
