Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Jackline Mwenesi revealed that President William Ruto asked security officers to reserve a seat for Azimio leader Raila Odinga at the Kip Keino classic on Saturday, May 13.
Speaking at a burial in Kasipul, Homa Bay County, on Monday, May 15, the CAS narrated that the security officers had brought the seat for a minister but the president asked them to reserve it for Odinga, who he stated was on his way.
The President and Azimio leader Raila Odinga graced the event later in the evening after attending the funeral of freedom fighter Mukami Kimathi in Nyandarua County.
“You may not know what is going on, but just to give an example, after we left the funeral in Nyandarua and went to watch the games, the protocol security team brought seats, saying that a certain minister was coming to sit there.
“The president quickly asked them to leave the seat and reserve it because of Raila who was on his way. Even the rest of us did not know that he would come and sit there,” she stated.
Further, the CAS urged Kenyans to remain peaceful, stating that Raila and Ruto respected each other and that the two leaders had no bad blood.
“The people do not have a problem. It is us leaders who have a problem with one another. Our beloved President respects Raila Odinga. Even the rest of us in UDA respect Raila,” added Mwenesi.
In addition, Mwenesi stated there were plans for Raila and Ruto to announce a partnership.
According to the CAS, the leaders would hold a press conference in two weeks to announce their new partnership.
“You will see Raila holding a press conference in two weeks' time giving a way forward. The two leaders will come together and the country will move forward,” she stated.
Photos of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua greeting former Prime Minister Raila Odinga went viral on Saturday, May 13, during the funeral of freedom advocate Mukami Kimathi.
It was the first time the two political rivals shared a podium since the hotly contested 2022 presidential election, in which Odinga, 77, lost to Ruto, according to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
According to political pundits, the two leaders were not in any superiority contest.
