President William Ruto's 2027 re-election bid is set for a significant boost if a recent declaration by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi is anything to go by.
Speaking in Kericho County on Friday while leading Kenyans in planting trees on Mazingira Day, the Energy CS said the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is committed to its recent decision to support the Kenya Kwanza government which will be sustained even beyond the 2027 elections.
“Mimi nina uhakika uhusiano wetu wa kisiasa utadumu kabisa beyond next (2027) elections. Sisi tumeshikana na Mheshimiwa Rais William Ruto kikamilifu. Si kubahatisha. Sisi tuko ndani ya serikali na serikali iko imara. Serikali haina wasiwasi hata kidogo. Ni jukumu lenu na sisi sote tulinde serikali isismame, na tuunge mheshimwa Rais mkono aendelee kuongoza nchi, hata baada ya next election.
"Sisi kule kwetu, mimi natoka kule Siaya, Nyanza, tukiamua tumeamua, kwa hivyo tumeamua tunashikana na Rais. Hata mkiskia kelele msiwe na wasiswasi, kelele ndogo ndogo, msiwe na wasiwasi hata kidogo ," Wandayi stated in Swahili.
"This can be loosely translated as "I believe that our political partnership will hold strong beyond 2027. We have decided to work with President William Ruto and will stay committed to that cause. We are part and parcel of the government and the government's foundations remain strong. Its our responsibility to ensure the government remains strong. Let us keep supporting the president so that he can continue leading the government even beyond the next elections,"
"I come from Siaya, Nyanza and we are known to make firm decisions and stand by them. We have decided to work with the president. In the event you hear noises, don't be troubled, even one bit,"
The CS proceeded to give further insight into why ODM decided to work with President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
"You are well aware that I was firmly in the opposition. But the country is more important than any individual or any party. That is why when President William Ruto invited us into his fold, I accepted the offer very fast," he stated.
The CS claimed that Raila’s political support base has embraced the President and will therefore back his bid for another term.
The CS who benefited from the truce struck between President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga reiterated that national unity and prosperity is the most important aspect of nation-building.
"President Ruto has formed a government that includes every Kenyan and every community, enabling citizens to unite and work together for development,” The CS noted.
This comes even as speculation continues to swirl that Raila is being groomed to be Ruto's running mate in the next general elections as deputy president Rigathi Gachagua faces looming impeachment.
A report compiled by research firm INFOTRAK and published on Friday showed that 2 per cent of respondents preferred Raila to be on the same ticket as Ruto in 2027.
The same report showed that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki was the preferred man to replace Gachagua if the Senate votes to kick the latter out.