Ruto should listen to Sifuna, not Oburu: Senator Nyutu

Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu has urged President William Ruto to listen to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna instead of Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga.

In an interview on Citizen TV’s Daybreak show on Thursday Nyutu argued that Senator Oburu is a beneficiary of the ‘broad-based government’ agreement forged after Ruto joined hands with former opposition leader and ODM chief Raila Odinga.

The agreement saw several opposition figures nominated into government. However, some ODM members such as Sifuna, the party’s secretary-general, have remained critical of Ruto’s administration.

“Oburu is a direct beneficiary of the broad-based government, whilst Senator Sifuna has not benefitted directly from it and is therefore more realistic in his assessment”, said Nyutu.

“President Ruto should be very worried and not celebrate what he is hearing from Oburu.”

Nyutu’s comments came after Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei said that the opposition is sensing defeat in the 2027 presidential race and that President Ruto’s re-election is “sure-bet as a cocksure”.

Senator Nyutu rebutted, arguing that the chest-thumping by government-allied politicians is because of ODM’s support.

Ruto and his allies have been dismissing comments that he will be a one-term president, mostly popularised by his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, since he was impeached last October.