I didn’t go to President Ruto, he came to me - Raila Odinga clarifies

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party Leader Raila Odinga has sought to clarify that it was President William Ruto who approached him for a cooperation arrangement under the broad-based government, and not the other way round.

Speaking on Tuesday during the burial of the late Kimani Waiyaki in Muthiga, Kiambu County, the former Prime Minister recounted his historical journey as a people’s liberator, maintaining that he has never abandoned his course of fighting for the welfare of Kenyans.

“Watu wengi wanapiga kelele hapa na pale ati ooh, Raila alienda kwa Ruto, ametuwacha…mimi sijaenda kwa Ruto, Ruto ndio amekuja kwangu,” said Odinga in defence of the move join the current regime through the broad-based arrangement.

According to the ODM chief, his political life is only marked by fighting and standing for Kenyans and through past demonstrations, he had continued to demonstrate his unwavering commitment.

He cited the recent pre-Finance Bill protests where the opposition took to the streets to demonstrate against the high cost of living, electoral malpractices, formation of IEBC and corruption and tribalism in government.

“Mimi msimamo wangu haujabadilika, kitu muhimu zaidi kutoka nizaliwe mpaka sasa, nimekuwa nikipigania haki ya Wakenya. Mliona mwaka uliopita tulitoka sisi sote tulikuwa kwa barabara tukipigania Wakenya tukisema gharama ya maisha imepanda, fungueni server, mambo ya ufisadi imezidi, ukabila umezidi…si tulisema hayo yote?” He posed.

“Mpaka baadaye tukaunda jopo kazi ya NADCO report. Jamaa walikuwa wanasitasita baadaye vijana wakajitokeza, Gen Z wakaingia kwa barabara. Hao watu wakatuma polisi wakaenda kupiga watoto na kuwaua; mpaka wakatoa hadi jeshi. Baadaye wakalazimika kuvunja serikali wakaunda ingine mpya."

Odinga has been facing backlash from Kenyans across the political divide ever since he signed the political pact to work with President Ruto in one government on Friday last week.

A section of opposition leaders have termed the new formation a 'betrayal' to the people since the move came after the deaths of Gen Z protesters last year.