Raila is set to yield more power than Ruto - Senator Joe Nyutu

The legislator told Citizen TV on Monday that the new pact between Odinga and Ruto, which includes a broad-based government featuring several of Raila’s key allies, will allow the opposition leader power to call the shots at the nation's helm.

"Raila will not just be co-president but he will be more powerful than President Ruto," he noted.

He argued that President Ruto currently depends on Odinga's influence to sustain his political capital, and does not stand a chance of maintaining the Presidency without the former Prime Minister's support.

"As we speak President Ruto has no other plan other than hanging on Raila Odinga so whatever Raila asks he will get," he added.

Nyutu's sentiments lie on the backdrop of political jitters over Odinga's position in government after failing the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson contest in February.

Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo believes that Odinga has taken over the reigns of power after holding talks with President Ruto in a seemingly looming "handshake".

Maanzo believes that Odinga has been aided by the broad-based government to usher the opposition in Ruto's administration, reinforcing his influence in government.

"President Ruto has handed over power to Raila Odinga except the sword. The opposition is in government and therefore what else is William Ruto going to do in this country?" he posed while speaking on Citizen TV.

Similarly, a significant amount of legislators have welcomed the possibility of awarding Odinga a plump position in Ruto's administration while another quota believes that Odinga should thank Ruto by supporting him in the 2027 General Election.

Belgut Member of Parliament Nelson Koech, also the chairperson of the Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee in the National Assembly, has opined that Odinga could be awarded his former position of Prime Minister.

"We could even do better by having the office of the Prime Minister. I'm just having a wild thought on what could happen," he said while appearing on Citizen TV in a past interview.