Deputy President William Ruto has dismissed claims he is working on a political alliance with opposition chief Raila Odinga in the forthcoming General Election.
In a live interview aired on Citizen TV, Ruto said he has never held any political discussions with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader on the possibility of forming an alliance as widely claimed by media reports.
“Have we had a discussion with Raila Odinga to discuss an alliance? no,” he said.
The second in command also dismissed all other prospective presidential candidates ahead of next year’s General Election saying that Raila remains his most formidable competitor.
“Raila Odinga is my competitor… he is the most formidable opponent I have in 2022. If Raila will not be my competitor, who will be? From where I sit, the strongest forces we have are the Hustlers and the ODM team…” Ruto went on.
Instead of him working with Orange party leader, the former Agriculture minister said he is interested on selling the Hustler Nation to Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya.
“I have met Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya 5 times to discuss politics. Oparanya appreciates the bottom-up approach. He appreciates the hustler,’’ he said.
Kivumbi.co.ke had earlier reported that a recent meeting between Ruto and Oparanya could have been part of a wider plan by ODM to reach out to the DP for a possible partnership.
In the interview Ruto dismissed the reports, saying that Oparanya was not sent by Raila.
“I have met Oparanya at least five time but he was not sent by Raila,” he said.
The former Eldoret North member of parliament further clarified that he has not only met Oparanya but has also held political meetings with other leaders including Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries among other senior government officials.
It is understood that both Raila Odinga and William Ruto are working day and night to form strong alliances that will see them succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta whose term ends in August 2022.
