Home » Raila Odinga: Ruto never helped me become Prime Minister

Raila Odinga: Ruto never helped me become Prime Minister

by Enock Ndayala
Deputy President William Ruto enticed Kisumu hustlers with the 'Raila Tosha' slogan as he campaigned for the Bottom-up economic model in the region.

ODM leader Raila Odinga has dismissed claims by Deputy President William Ruto that he helped him become Prime Minister after the disputed 2007 General Election.

This comes just days after Ruto sensationally claimed that Raila Odinga would not have been the Prime Minister were it not for him adding to the bitter exchange of words between the two former political lovebirds.

In an interview with Radio Citizen on Thursday, July 8, Raila told off the DP saying he did not help him in any way.

Raila Odinga: Ruto never helped me become Prime Minister
Raila Odinga became the Prime Minister after a signed political truce between Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga after the disputed 2007/08 General Election which had claimed more than 1,300 lives in the post-poll skirmishes that left thousands of others displaced. Photo: ODM/Twitter.

“I have heard Deputy President William Ruto saying that he helped me, late President Daniel Moi and even President Uhuru Kenyatta. Who is he that he has helped all these people?” Raila asked.

Raila further argued that he defeated William Ruto and Musalia Mudavadi for ODM presidential ticket prior to the 2007 General Election.

“In the build-up to 2007 General Elections, we went to Kasarani for nomination. I won, Mudavadi became second and he (Ruto) was third. We won the polls but our victory was stolen. That is why we formed a grand coalition government,” he added.

Raila Odinga became the Prime Minister after a signed political truce between Mwai Kibaki and himself following the disputed 2007/08 General Election which had claimed more than 1,300 lives in the post-poll skirmishes.

Ruto has on several occasions insisted that he helped Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga become a Prime Minister and Uhuru Kenyatta become a President.

“I am part of the Jubilee government. I formed it, what will be so hard in making a hustler government? I helped Raila become Prime Minister. Did I not help my friend Uhuru?” Ruto told a gathering in Nandi County in a past event.

Ruto and Raila worked together and have now become major political rivals and their feud is expected to take a new turn after Raila officially announced that he would face off with Ruto in the 2022 presidency.

You may also like

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More