Ruto Meets Jubilee Politicians Ahead of Raila's Kamukunji Rally

From right to left: President William Ruto, Nominated MP Sabina Chege and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua pose at State House, Nairobi on Monday, January 23, 2023.
From right to left: President William Ruto, Nominated MP Sabina Chege and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua pose at State House, Nairobi on Monday, January 23, 2023.
PSCU

President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua on Monday, January 23, hosted politicians allied to the Jubilee party, at State House, Nairobi ahead of the planned Kamukunji rally by Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga. 

Reports indicated that among those in attendance included former and current Jubilee MPs among them East Africa Legislation Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega and lawmaker, Sabina Chege. 

Other legislators included Zachary Kwenya (Kinangop), Irene Njoki (Bahati), Shadrack Mwiti (South Imenti), Amos Mwago (Starehe), Stanley Muthama (Lamu West), Lamu Senator Joseph Githuku, Mark Mwenje (Embakasi West), and Daniel Karitho (Igembe Central). 

President William Ruto (centre), and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua (third from left) in the company of Jubilee politicians, pose at State House, Nairobi on Monday, January 23, 2023.
President William Ruto (centre), and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua (third from left) in the company of Jubilee politicians, pose at State House, Nairobi on Monday, January 23, 2023.
PSCU

After the meeting, Ruto affirmed that leaders ought to work together in a bid to serve the interests of Kenyans. 

"We must build a bigger and better team that will work together to effectively prosecute the agenda of the people of Kenya. We cannot move our country forward by leaving others behind," the president stated. 

This came days after DP Gachagua extended an olive branch to Jubilee MPs at the Harambee House Annex, Nairobi. The DP urged the politicians to work together irrespective of political affiliation. 

"We discussed issues touching on development in the respective areas of representation... Elections are over, and we must work together irrespective of our political affiliation."

"Indeed, President William Ruto and I have agreed that 2023 is the year of work, and we have to put the interests of the people first to build back our economy," the statement read in part. 

Raila, in a statement sent to newsrooms on Saturday, January 21, urged Kenyans to show up in large numbers at the Kamukunji Baraza as he laid out the interests of the country, particularly after reports of a dossier by a whistleblower on the August 9 presidential election surfaced. 

The Azimio leadership challenged Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to allow a forensic audit of its servers for credibility. 

According to the Opposition, a document provided by the whistleblower alleged that Raila garnered 8,170,353 votes (57.3 per cent) against Ruto’s 5,915,973 (41.66 per cent). 

President Ruto, however, questioned the motive of the rally and affirmed that the country would not be held hostage by select people. 

"Those who are against the peace, and unity in the nation and they want to bring us old stories. I want to promise Kenya that we will not allow the country to be a hostage to threats and blackmail from a few people who are looking for their personal interests," Ruto stated during a church service at Kerugoya stadium, Kirinyaga County, on Sunday, January 22. 

President William Ruto (right), EALA MP Kanini Kega (centre) and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua pose at State House, Nairobi on Monday, January 23, 2023.
President William Ruto (right), EALA MP Kanini Kega (centre) and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua pose at State House, Nairobi on Monday, January 23, 2023.
PSCU