If you think the rivalry between former prime minister Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto is ending, then you are wrong. The rival has just started.
Starting with what DP Ruto claimed as Raila plotting to kick him out of Jubilee after kicking him out of ODM, the rivalry has extended to the now latest appointment of Raila to African Union.
DP Ruto’s camp now claims that Raila should quit local politics and concentrate on his new appointment, but on Wednesday Raila’s camp had to tell them off.
According to ODM, the Deputy President has to seek the blessings of opposition leader Raila Odinga if he ever wants to be the President of this country.
ODM officials now say politicians demanding retirement of Odinga from politics following his appointment by the AU to hold their horses.
They say RAO is in POLITICS and will be around in 2022 God Willing.
Party officials from Nairobi have told politicians demanding retirement of PL @RailaOdinga from politics following his appointment by the AU to hold their horses. They say RAO is in POLITICS and will be around in 2022 God Willing. pic.twitter.com/UdFMXD8fcX
— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) October 24, 2018
“Raila will decide when he retires from politics. As things stand now, he is still the force that dictates the political agenda in this country,” former Embakasi South MP Irshad Sumra said.
The politicians spoke at Orange House as they congratulated Raila for his appointment as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure and Development.
Led by Mathare MP Antony Oluoch & Nairobi County Vice Chairman Ochieng Jera, the officials said at the moment @RailaOdinga is concentrating on building bridges to fix the mess in the County as well as working for the continent’s infrastructural Development. pic.twitter.com/jJjqz3iymM
— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) October 24, 2018
“We congratulate Baba and remind noisemakers that the appointment elevated his status in local and international politics,” ODM Nairobi branch vice chairperson Ochieng Jerry said.
The MPs were addressing calls by Ruto’s allies who want Raila to retire from local politics and concentrate on his new appointment to the African Union. Jubilee MPs say Raila’s new job is demanding and he should distance himself from local politics.
“We are confident that Odinga will take to the continent his expertise and experience to improve infrastructure and make Africa an admirable home even to the outside world,” Mathare MP Anthony Oluoch said.