President William Ruto has expounded his decision to back former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the African Union Commission chairperson role for the first time since the duo met in Uganda on Monday, February 26.
Speaking during the investment Conference in Homa Bay County on Tuesday, February 27, Ruto reminded the residents that he had always drafted a plan to unite the nation after the controversial 2027 presidential election.
He asserted that no Kenyan ought to be excluded from government despite the outcome of the polls. The deal agreed upon in Uganda while the duo was hosted by President Yoweri Museveni encompassed Ruto's promise to the nation.
"I was here in Homa Bay during the campaigns and I promised you that there will be no loser here in Kenya. I promised that I would work so hard to ensure that everyone gets a space. You did not believe me. Now you can see how things are going. Didn't I promise that in the market?
"There is a space for all of us. You do not win by making others lose. We want a win-win situation for all Kenyans. There are no Kenyans who are in the opposition and those in the government," he expressed.
This was the first time Ruto was commenting on Raila's bid for the AU job publicly. Raila, on Monday, lauded Ruto and Museveni for backing his bid, and at the same time recognised his perennial nemesis as the President of Kenya.
After the Supreme Court upheld Ruto's victory and threw out petitions filed by the opposition members, Raila had vowed to never recognise Ruto as a legitimate head of state.
"Crucially, at the urging of President Museveni, we also discussed my candidacy for Chairperson of the African Union Commission. I am very grateful to President Museveni for strongly endorsing my candidacy and to President Ruto for fully backing it," Raila explained the trip to Uganda.
Notably, key political allies of Ruto including his Cabinet members have publicly thrown their weight behind the ODM party boss.
Other leaders including Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria also vowed to campaign for Raila ahead of the AU elections.
Meanwhile, reports indicated that Ruto and Raila have already formed a team to woo leaders across the continent. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi will lead the team owing to his roles in the Foreign Affairs docket.
Other key allies of Raila are also included in the team of experts.
Raila is eying to replace the current chairperson, Moussa Faki, who ascended to the role in 2017 and has served in the position for two terms of four years.
Should he be elected, Raila will act as the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the AU and earn a Ksh2.4 million (US15,576.75) monthly salary.
