Deputy President William Ruto has declared that he is ready to compete with Raila Odinga for the top seat in 2022.
Speaking during a prayer service in Meru County on Sunday, Dr Ruto, however, said that Raila must be ready to accept to defeat.
“I have heard that he has announced that he wants to compete with me in 2022. I do not have a problem competing with him, but he must first tell and assure Kenyans that in case of a defeat, he will accept the decision of the Kenyan voters,” said Dr Ruto.
He added, “Let him first tell the country that in case of defeat, he will not cause chaos.”
DP Ruto, however, noted that his focus is on delivering the Jubilee development agenda. “But for the time being, I want to tell him that I am busy ensuring that the Jubilee manifesto and the Big Four agenda are realised,” he said.
Ruto was reacting to media reports that Raila Odinga has declared interest in the 2022 presidential race.
However, Odinga, in a statement issued by his spokesperson Dennis Onyango, said he was “deeply disappointed” by the media reports.
“Raila Odinga strongly objects to reports appearing in the Sunday Nation today that put him in a presidential race he has not declared any interest in and which does not exist currently. Mr. Odinga entered no race yesterday and he knows no race that is on as reported in Sunday Nation. It’s way too early.
“Odinga believes that three years of dissecting poll numbers and forcing candidates into the race rather than focusing on real and urgent economic, political and social issues that the nation needs to deal with ahead of 2022 is reckless, irresponsible and cheap journalism,” Onyango said.
