A Kenyan senator on November 28 claimed that President William Ruto is not the actual figure behind the reigns of power in Kenya.
Makueni senator Dan Maanzo, while speaking on Citizen TV, disclosed that Raila Odinga is ‘politically in charge’ of Kenya and that Ruto is depending on him with respect to running affairs in the nation.
“Right now, Ruto’s government is hanging onto Raila’s lips. It is Raila who is in charge of this country right now, politically,” Maanzo claimed.
The senator made these comments while condemning Ruto’s recent visit to Kondele, Kisumu on November 26 where he received a rousing reception from the area residents. The President was in Kisumu to attend the opening of the 4th African Sub-Sovereign Conference.
Ruto’s visit to the lakeside region, a well-known Raila stronghold, was the second since the formation of the broad-based government that incorporated leaders aligned to Odinga. His first visit was on August 28.
Even so, Maanzo dismissed Ruto’s visit, claiming that the crowd was financially incentivised to turn up adding that the funds could have been used to promote infrastructural development.
“The senator for Kisumu (Tom Ojienda) was (allegedly) seen mobilising these crowds, dishing money out for those who came to the rally. Those who were not given money were (allegedly) seen shouting ‘Ruto Must Go’ in the same rally,” the senator claimed.
“That money could have been used to build roads in Kisumu or Syokimau but it was used in politics,” Maanzo added.
Maanzo further challenged Ruto to do more for Raila’s African Union Chairmanship (AUC) bid by injecting more funds into the bid. He also called for him to increase lobbying amongst other African presidents to aid Raila.
“The money that Ruto used in going to Kisumu, if he really wants to help Raila, he could have used it to go to West Africa where Raila currently is. In the AUC race, the voters are presidents. Only President Ruto protocally can approach presidents of Africa to campaign for Raila,” Maanzo affirmed.
“Now you find Raila going to these foreign countries to meet foreign ministers and prime ministers without meeting presidents wasting time and money,” he added.
In the Kondele rally, Ruto, for the first time, publicly acknowledged Raila’s support in stabilising his government in the wake of the June-August youth led protests that threatened to cripple his administration.
While reprimanding leaders who promote tribalism and divisive politics, Ruto added that he would continue working with Raila to promote unity in the country.
