Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has urged Deputy President William Ruto to learn from the 2008 Grand Coalition Government and desist from opposing the government.
Odinga advised Ruto while addressing the youth in Nairobi, on Wednesday, January 13, while drumming up support for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
He claimed that sharing power with former President Mwai Kibaki in 2008 was one of the best decisions ever made in Kenya as it allowed the country to develop.
"The Prime Minister post ensured that the government was under check. Kibaki had his roles and I had mine. We also made better decisions and solved problems too. Most of the developments being enjoyed right now (in 2021) were unveiled during our regime.
"Were we tribalistic by sharing power as he (Ruto) keeps on saying? The BBI will shape politics in Kenya and ensure that power is rotational as President Uhuru Kenyatta said. Their introduction of the Prime Minister post once again will promote efficient leadership," Odinga said.
He added that the initiative was meant for the youth, and that he would counter any strategy that will turn young people against the project.
On Sunday, January 10, Ruto lamented that certain leaders were still ethnic minded, and had not noticed that the dimensions of politics had changed.
He argued that Kenya's politics was all about the hustler (common citizen) versus the dynasty (wealthy politicians from political families). His response seemed to target the Head of State who had hinted at pushing for rotational Presidency.
Ruto's remarks irked Kenyatta's allies, some of whom have accused the DP of disrespecting the President and promoting divisive politics. Speaking at the event attended by Odinga on Wednesday, January 13, Nominated MP Maina Kanda dared Ruto to oppose the BBI.
"We are familiar with his tactics and he knows that he does not have any more power and he will not have any position in government in 2022.Let him oppose the BBI and we shall ensure that he loses.
"We have seen him threatening leaders that they will lose their seats if they do not join his camp. We shall not allow it. We shall not even let him play around with Nairobi County (by-elections) which belongs to Baba (Odinga) and Uhuru. Pride comes before a fall," Kamanda warned.
