Ruto pokes fun at turning former president Uhuru Kenyatta into an opposition leader

Poking fun at his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta, Ruto recalled asking for forgiveness from his boss in the 2022 prayer breakfast, which was held months before the General Election. 

“I remember the last prayer breakfast here was around the same. I remember asking for forgiveness from my friend the former president. It is interesting that today we are again discussing the subject of forgiveness and reconciliation,” Ruto said. 

Terming the last election as a closely contested one, the Head of State spoke about the change of fortunes after the General Election.

“It only happens in Kenya that in our last election, the opposition leader became the government candidate, and the sitting deputy president became the opposition, candidate,” he said.

Ruto went on to make fun of beating Kenyatta’s preferred candidate Raila Odinga, rendering the then-president into an opposition leader.

“The opposition candidate won the election and the sitting president then handed over power to his deputy. And went ahead to become the leader of the opposition party. That only happens in Kenya,” Ruto said. 

Mr Kenyatta is the party leader of Jubilee party and recently insisted that he will not retire from active politics.

According to Ruto, the 2022 General Election was also a turning point for Kenya, as contesting parties differed and agreed on important issues, but most importantly, it was also peaceful.

“The ethnic configuration that always informed our politics was not there. We had both sides presenting a national face in their formation,” he added.

Talks of President William Ruto’s strained relationship with his predecessor took centre stage in the Prayer Breakfast aimed at reconciling Kenyans. 

"The last prayer breakfast here was a very toxic affair full of tension and hatred. The President (Ruto) could not sit at the same table with his boss,” Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua remarked, applauding his boss for embracing forgiveness. 

"Many of us who work around him have great difficulties with that approach but along the way, he has persuaded us that reconciliation is the way to go for the betterment of this country."