The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga stated that Deputy President William Ruto had a hand in arm-twisting President Uhuru Kenyatta during their first term.
Speaking on Saturday, January 15, at the Mount Kenya University in Thika, Kiambu County where he launched his nationwide presidential campaign, Raila noted that the Head of State's administration weakened during the first term- due to the friction between him and his deputy.
According to the former premier, after the handshake deal was sealed on March 9, 2018, the projects' completion rate drastically increased.
Raila pointed out how Uhuru's track record between 2008 and 2013, as deputy prime minister spoke for itself. At the time, the two worked together with the grand coalition government.
“I worked with Uhuru between 2008 and 2013; he was the Deputy Prime Minister. He did an amazing job in the Finance docket. When he was elected President, his first term encountered challenges. I want to believe he was held hostage by people who wanted his administration to fail,” Raila stated.
“After he and I entered into a unity pact, known as the handshake [on March 9, 2018], there has been a commendable projects-completion rate," he added.
Branding his eight-tenure term as a failure, Raila criticised the DP for fronting his gains instead of the interests of the ruling party.
"You have been in government for eight years, and you have nothing to show for it. Leave and let me show you how we will serve Kenyans," he stated.
Ruto, however, had taken time off politics to attend his son's dowry negotiations. During previous political campaigns, he alongside his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) brigade have poked holes into Raila's Azimio la Umoja campaign bid.
"In the case of my competitor who keeps complaining, the alcohol company that is being sold across the country belongs to them. They also have a company that sells gas, petroleum. They then take those funds abroad while playing politics."
"The billions that you take to Dubai, could you have given at least Ksh5 million to the less fortunate?" he posed.
The DP has invaded various parts of the country on a charm offensive. The second in command's campaign trail has been weaved around the Bottom-up economic model- a narrative that entails empowering the lower groups of the society as well as improving the country's economy.
