On Saturday, March 25, President William Ruto changed his tune and pleaded with Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga to drop anti-government demonstrations and support his administration.
Speaking in Migori County, the Head of State stated that he supported Raila and even helped him secure the Prime Minister's post after the 2007 General Election in former late President Mwai Kibaki's administration.
Ruto pleaded with Raila insisting that supporting his administration was the right thing to do in returning the favour.
"The work we did is the one that made Raila Odinga a Prime Minister. Ever since, has he ever received any other seat close to that of a Prime Minister?" Ruto posed.
"So I want to ask Raila, I supported and even campaigned for you and have voted for you. When will you ever vote for me?" Ruto asked the former Prime Minister.
Further, he asked Raila to back his 2027 Presidential bid.
"When will you ever campaign for me? Why are you holding protests against my government?" Let him return the favour and vote for me, I suffered a lot while supporting him.
"Instead of planning anti-government protests, you should prepare to vote for me," Ruto stated.
At the same time, Ruto castigated the former Prime Minister arguing that protests had derailed development and further affected Kenya's economy.
He implored the Azimio la Umoja leader to halt Monday and Thursday protests and back the Kenya Kwanza administration to spur development.
His sentiments in Migori came a day after he dared Raila to face him directly instead of holding demonstrations.
The armed forces commander-in-chief reprimanded Raila, insisting that protests had affected businesses, especially in Nairobi.
"Touts and traders, boda bodas, and kiosk owners did not work on Monday. What are you asking them? If you have a problem, face me. Stop disturbing citizens.
"Let me ask you (citizens), the person who competed with him is me. Why is he disturbing mama mboga? Stop disturbing the citizens, if you have a problem, come face me. I defeated you," he posed.
