President William Ruto hinted at offering former Prime Minister Raila Odinga a role in his government if he fronts himself to undertake state duties.
Speaking on Monday, September 26, Ruto noted that he would be willing to give the Azimio la Umoja Presidential candidate a role to play in the government if it serves the best interest of the country and aligns with his development agenda.
"When Raila Odinga decides to retire, and I think there are roles he can play as a Kenyan leader, he can support the country in other initiatives may be in the Great Lakes Region, he can work with us as an elder statesman, it is not for me to choose.
"It is a decision to be made by Kenyans. As president, I would deploy all the resources that we have for the good of the country and If Raila Odinga came by, I would find something for him to do but not in the handshake arrangement," Ruto told BBC News Africa.
He reiterated that a handshake arrangement would undermine the opposition's role.
"The handshake arrangement was the biggest fraud on the people of Kenya. It should not have happened. Once you compromise the opposition you are headed in the wrong direction, many wrong things will happen as it did," he added.
Working With Uhuru
The Commander in Chief further dispelled reports that he secretly worked with former President Uhuru Kenyatta to set up Raila for failure in the August 9 General Election.
A section of Azimio leaders had accused Uhuru of misleading Raila in the presidential race. Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, described the allegations as a long con.
Ruto insisted that he realised Uhuru could not support his presidential bid and decided to form his own faction to spearhead his presidential campaigns.
"Difficult yes but it is the reality. You would waste a lot of time living in denial. When it was obvious that Uhuru Kenyatta was not going to support me I moved on and built another team, but by God's grace we won the election," he stated.
"Today I speak to Uhuru Kenyatta as our former president. I speak to Raila for your information. I speak to them. They are leaders in our country. We have a country to look after and we are not enemies. We were competitors, we are compatriots. Whether you are in the Executive as a president like me or opposition like Raila and his troops, we are serving the same country," the President insisted.
Moreover, the President explained that Uhuru decided to take up the role of Peace Envoy in Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo in order to offer leadership to the region and help him focus on his campaign pledges.
