Deputy President William Ruto, on Sunday, made it clear that he was more than ready to battle it out with ODM Party leader, Raila Odinga, for the presidency in 2022.
Speaking at Timau town, Buuri Constituency, Meru County, DP Ruto announced that he had read the newspapers, which claimed that Raila was planning to have another go at the presidency in the next general elections.
"Nataka nimujulishe kwamba mimi sina shida yoyote kuhusu kushindana na yeye kule mbele, loosely translating to, I want him to know that I have nothing against competing with him in the next elections," DP Ruto asserted.
"Naskia ule mtu wa kitendawili ametangaza ya kwamba anataka kushindana na mimi kule 2022, mimi nataka niseme hivi, haya mambo nimeyaskia, kama alikuwa anasema inifikie, mimi nataka nimweleze kwamba nimesikia, loosely translating to, I have heard that the kitendawili guy has announced his 2022 presidential ambitions. If his intention was to ensure that I got the news, I want to tell him directly that I am now fully aware," he divulged.
The country's second in command went on to state that he was too busy implementing government projects to focus on politics.
However, he did issue one request to his rival, asking that Raila goes to the ground first, to assure the Kenyan public that if defeated in 2022, he would simply accept the people's will, and move on.
"Nataka nimuulize ahakikishie wakenya ya kwamba akishindwa hataanza fujo, atakubali uamuzi wa watu, loosely translating to, I have only one request to Raila, he needs to vow to the entire nation, that if defeated, he will accept the will of the people.
He was accompanied by several political allies, including Laikipia County Member of Parliament, Cate Waruguru, who echoed his sentiments, going on to blame Raila for the former President Mwai Kibaki's woes.
"His fake handshake with President Uhuru is nothing but an extension of his conmanship," she stated during her address.
However, ODM Party Secretary-General, Edwin Sifuna, has since come out to deny the article published by the Sunday Nation, alleging that Raila had announced his intention to run for the highest office in the land.
Here's a short clip of DP Ruto' reaction to Raila's alleged bid for the presidency in 2022:
