Deputy President William Ruto issued a response a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta endorsed the presidential bid of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
While addressing a rally in Kitui County on February 24, Ruto stated that he respected the decision by his former ally to endorse his competitor.
He stated that it was the democratic right for the Head of State to support the candidate of his choice. The DP insisted that they were still friends despite their fallout.
"I am aware that my friend the President of Kenya has decided in his democratic right to support my competitor and I respect the opinion of the president and my friend," the DP stated.
Ruto added that he was not bitter about Uhuru's latest move despite working with the President on many occasions more than Raila.
“I voted for Uhuru, I campaigned for him and Odinga has never voted or campaigned for President Kenyatta, but I am okay with his decision to support that one person that has never voted for him," he stated.
Additionally, the DP dared Raila to openly campaign against him, accusing the ODM boss of hiding behind the President.
"But the president is not my competitor, my competitor is Raila and therefore I ask him not stand behind Mr Kenyatta," he dared.
The DP stated that he had a plan and team that would defeat Raila and the Azimio La Umoja brigade in the August 9 polls.
"I know that I have an agenda, a team, and a plan for the people of Kenya. On top of that, we have a track record that the people of Kenya will look at.
"When you look at things as they are, do you think that Raila can beat us? We shall be done with him in the morning and sent him to retirement," he stated.
The statements by the DP come after Uhuru asked Mt Kenya to back the candidature of Raila stating that the ODM boss was better placed to take over the mantle of leadership from him.
Uhuru stated that despite their fallout with his deputy, he would support Ruto's political ambitions in the future if he toed the line.
"What an old man can see sitting a small boy will not see standing on top of a tree. Let's hold the old man's hand and if the other young man also reforms at some point in the future, I have not stopped anyone from supporting him," the president stated.
