Raila Odinga Junior is on the receiving end of backlash after he took a swipe at Deputy President William Ruto on Saturday, April 18, 2020.
Taking to his Twitter page, the former premier's son posted a photo of The Standard newspaper's front page for April 18, followed with the caption, "Kitendawili... Anakula lakini hashibi".
The publication had alleged that the deputy president had completely lost his chemistry with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
"He's loudly absent in times of crisis, cabinet secretaries are ignoring his calls and security agencies have no time for him. Ruto is lonely in government," the publication stated.
Irate members of the public fired back at Raila junior, criticising his father, ODM Leader's Raila Odinga's attempts at the country's top seat while he employed the "kitendawili slogan."
He was castigated for igniting a debate or rather picking a fight, outside his weight class. Several called him out for using his father's name to take shots at senior politicians in the country.
"Starting on the wrong foot Junior. Don’t participate in the battles of your elders, your future is bleak!" Susan remarked.
"Junior thinks Baba will be by his side forever. The boy has refused to explore unchartered territories," Roan Birgen stated.
"For you to be relevant, you have to use your father's name," Geoffrey stated.
A section of netizens drew a comparison from the DP's son Nick Ruto, arguing that he had never talked of the former premier in any way, yet Raila Junior was openly criticising his seniors.
Angry Kenyans asked him to seek out a new slogan, alleging that his father had for a long time employed it to dupe Kenyans.
"Don't be like your dad please, say something different, but leave Ruto alone," Ken Onyango stated.
"Kitendawili? He has lost six times but is yet to concede defeat," Cathy added.
Others took a swipe at the Standard newspaper for allegedly tarnishing the deputy president's name. A section identified the outlets as being owned by Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, and thus employed as a tool to fight the DP.
Irate members of the public from Eldoret posted a video online setting the newspaper on fire and issuing a warning to Standard and Gideon that Uasin Gishu is a no go zone for them if they keep attacking DP Ruto.
"We as residents of Eldoret strongly condemn news channelled by the Standard about DP William Ruto. We urge the DP to stay strong and not to be bothered by these reports,
"We ask residents of Rift Valley to avoid reading these reports," one of the men in the video stated.
Holding the newspapers high, they further argued there were more important matters to report on like Covid-19, not the DP, before proceeding to set them on fire.
"If Gideon's family want to continue with their business, let them leave Ruto out of it. The standard should not get to Rift Valley, that should be the end of the road for them. Rest in peace," they proclaimed while they watched the newspapers burn.
