President William Ruto clapped back at Azimio leader Raila Odinga over his demands that leaders from the coalition party must get his blessing before meeting the president.
Speaking in Nakuru County on Monday, February 13, Ruto maintained that the leaders did not require anyone's permission to meet him.
He hit back at Odinga for claiming exclusive rights over leaders who were elected by the people while he was not.
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"We do not need permission from anybody to work together as leaders; if there is any permission, it is from the voters.
"Upon election, you have permission to work with other leaders so that we can change their lives and make a better nation," the Head of State reiterated.
This came amid a backlash in Azimio over a section of ODM leaders meeting Ruto at State House, Nairobi. The former Premier termed them traitors and asked them to quit the party.
The President warned the Opposition Chief against engaging in bad politics aimed at dividing Kenyans along political party lines.
"It is retrogressive, backward, and has no place in Kenya. Those who were not elected should wait for 2027 and let us work with those in office," Ruto remarked.
He claimed that he was forced to continue with the affordable housing project, which could have been completed during his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta's time, because of interference by Odinga.
Apart from the nine ODM lawmakers, a contingent of Jubilee leaders led by East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament Kanini Kega and Deputy Minority Whip, Sabina Chege also pledged support to President Ruto after a breakfast meeting at Statehouse, Nairobi.
On February 12, embattled Jubilee party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni called on the party to kickstart the process of stripping Chege from her leadership role.
He also called on Kega and Nominated Senator Fatuma Dullo to resign from their respective posts since they were tied to their membership of the former ruling party.
