NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 27 – President William Ruto on Tuesday signaled an end to combative politics with Opposition Leader Raila Odinga citing his move to front him for the African Union (AU) Commission Chairmanship post.
President Ruto who spoke in Homa Bay told his audience predominately comprised of Odinga supporters that the endorsement would see a win-win situation he promised during the campaign trail.
Throughout the campaigning period preceding the 2022 polls, President Ruto, during his visits to the larger Nyanza region, promised Odinga’s supporters that he would secure employment for the veteran opposition leader once he emerged victorious in the presidential election.
“We want to unify the country and work together towards the unity of Kenya and that is important to all of us and there is space for all of us in Kenya,” President Ruto amid cheers from the audience who had gathered for the Homa Bay investment conference.
President Ruto clinched a narrow victory over Odinga, who was making his fifth attempt at the presidency in the 2022 elections.
Despite Odinga’s contestation of the results, his petition filed at the Supreme Court was unsuccessful, as the court upheld President Ruto’s win.
After losing the polls, Odinga resorted to organizing protests, citing President Ruto’s mishandling of the economy.
However, a year later, they appear to have reconciled, and Odinga finds himself on good terms with President Ruto.
The Azimio Leader is vying to become the fifth chair of the AU Commission and has since secured the backing of President Ruto.
The two leaders, formerly allies turned adversaries, convened with Uganda President Yoweri Museveni on Monday, indicating President Ruto’s commencement of a charm offensive to bolster the opposition leader’s bid for the lucrative AU position.
At the conference in Homa Bay, President Ruto reiterated his commitment to national unity, emphasizing the need for everyone, particularly those in the political arena, to feel like winners.
“You do not win by making others lose. We want a win-win outcome for all of us,” he said adding “We all want to be winners because those in opposition must mean well for Kenya. Those in government must mean well for Kenya but there are no citizens who are in the opposition or Kenyans who are in the other side.”
President Ruto further emphasized the importance of elected leaders striving to improve Kenya for future generations while safeguarding their needs.
“Only these leaders have a job to do something in Parliament, but all Kenyans are on the same side. We belong to one nation and have one goal to make Kenya a great country that we can leave to our children who will come after us,” he said.
