The war between opposition chief Raila Odinga and deputy President William Ruto seem not to be ending any time soon. Just the other day, rebel ODM MP Aisha Jumwa was criticising the handshake between Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta following the battle before her over her support to DP Ruto. Is this a response to her? It looks like a response to Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, who had pressed president Kenyatta to the wall to clarify the position held by Raila in the government.
Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi has defended ODM leader Raila Odinga from his Jubilee critics, saying that he (Raila) is not in government and should not be pushed unfairly to deliver on development.
Osotsi (ANC) said some Jubilee MPs are running hate campaigns targeting Raila.
He said Raila’s position is not a government job but an international portfolio and should, therefore, direct their anger to the right person.
In October, The African Union Commission appointed Raila as High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa.
“The hate campaigns by these Jubilee MP following Deputy President William Ruto will not help them, our people from Western or their master,” he said.
Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe on Wednesday told Raila to ensure that his handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta benefits Western Kenya.
Wangwe said that the region supported Raila in the last three elections and it was time he reciprocated by getting development projects for residents.
“We have already seen what President Uhuru who received five per cent of the Luhya vote has done in Western and we expect to see more development now that Raila who got the bulk support of 95 per cent has joined him,” he said.
But Osotsi said that those supporting the DP cannot sell him in the region by badmouthing Raila or blackmailing other leaders.