Deputy President William Ruto on Wednesday dismissed a newspaper reporting that had indicated that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga is his enemy.
While quoting the Standard newspaper which had its headline titled; When old friends become enemies, the DP said he had no enemies and added that any differences between him and the ODM leader were based on political competition.
He attributed the differences to democracy insinuating that the competition is healthy.
“Enemy NOWAY? Good people I have no enemies because there is no need for baggage. Competitors yes !! That’s the richness of democracy we should celebrate,” tweeted the DP.
In the newspaper reporting, the writer revisited the moment when the DP and Raila were close allies who fought political battles together.
The report brought to the fore moments when DP Ruto was an ardent supporter of the ODM leader and also a strong member of the Orange Party.
However, according to the report, the two former allies have turned enemies owing to their ongoing differences.
Raila and Ruto are currently locking horns over the implementation of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report.
According to the ODM leader, the BBI recommendations should be addressed through the popular initiative.
In reference to Raila’s close allies, the former Prime Minister is rooting for a parliamentary system of governance which will most likely result in a referendum.
On the other hand, reports indicate that Ruto is opposed to a parliamentary system of governance as well as the referendum.
On record, the DP has insisted that the government is keen at implementing its Big 4 Agenda adding that the referendum is unnecessary and costly to manage.
Ruto-allied leaders have also slammed the ODM leader for planning to amend the constitution to create positions for political heavyweights in the country.
Enemy NOWAY? Good people I have no enemies because there is no need for baggage. Competitors yes !! That's the richness of democracy we should celebrate. pic.twitter.com/INJI9c4hAm
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) December 4, 2019