Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has criticised President William Ruto for what he described as engaging in double speak on the mediation talks between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio.
Speaking during a talk show on Monday, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) legislator accused Ruto of adopting a different stance under the glare of media cameras than he has done behind the scenes.
The legislator claimed that Ruto had made two desperate attempts to reach out to Raila to resolve the political dispute that has been threatening the stability of the country.
Osotsi specifically highlighted that it was Ruto who invited Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to mediate between the two factions.
The Senator expressed concern that the President's inconsistency in his public and private statements regarding the political impasse was creating a negative impression among Kenyans and the international community.
“He has been the one initiating talks. He brought in Suluhu and Raila showed up but he (Ruto) did not,” Osotsi remarked while describing Raila as a statesman.
“Ruto called in Obasanjo and they had a meeting. He came out of the meeting and started playing monkey games.”
The ODM senator appealed to President Ruto to stop addressing Raila in political rallies to demonstrate his seriousness about the mediation talks. According to the legislator, such political manoeuvres should be left to young parliamentarians.
Osotsi’s argument was that the rooftop declarations by Ruto are beneath his stature as Head of State, especially at a time he is engaged in talks with continental leaders like Obasanjo and Suluhu.
In the same breath, Osotsi congratulated Kalonzo remarking that Ruto should borrow a leaf from the former Vice President.
In particular, he pointed out that Kalonzo was already engaging the US and other powerful diplomats in an effort to bring political stability to the country.
This comes even as Raila, last week warned that should Ruto not put in a deliberate effort in the talks, the opposition would announce the return of nationwide protests.
The former Prime Minister further indicated he was not interested in a coalition government.
Ruto during an interview with Inooro TV on Sunday dismissed the possibility of power sharing and auditing the 2022 election results featuring in the talks with Azimio.
