This archive report was first published on 18 August 2019.
Deputy President William Ruto has fired back at claims that he's afraid to face off against Raila Odinga in the 2022 presidential election, saying he's ready to take on the ODM leader.
Speaking at Timau town in Meru County on Sunday, Ruto said he had read in the newspapers that Raila was planning to run for the presidency in the next general elections.
However, Ruto swiftly responded, saying he was ready to take on Raila and that the ODM leader must first commit to Kenyans that in case of a defeat, he will gracefully accept the decision of Kenyans.
“Nataka nimujulishe kwamba mimi sina shida yoyote kuhusu kushindana na yeye kule mbele,” Ruto said, loosely translating to, “I want him to know that I have nothing against competing with him in the next elections,”
He added, “Naskia ule mtu wa kitendawili ametangaza ya kwamba anataka kushindana na mimi kule 2022, mimi nataka niseme hivi, haya mambo nimeyaskia, kama alikuwa anasema inifikie, mimi nataka nimweleze kwamba nimesikia,” loosely translating to, “I have heard that the kitendawili guy has announced his 2022 presidential ambitions. If his intention was to ensure that I got the news, I want to tell him directly that I am now fully aware,”
Laikipia County Member of Parliament, Cate Waruguru, echoed Ruto's sentiments, saying, “His fake handshake with President Uhuru is nothing but an extension of his conmanship,”
However, a faction of Jubilee MPs from Mt Kenya in attendance warned that the party would face problems if it does not put its house in order.
ODM party leader Raila Odinga has dismissed reports indicating that he is running for the presidency in the 2022 General Election, citing that he was disappointed with the reports for deliberately twisting his calls for grassroots elections in the Orange party to link him to the 2022 presidential race.
Meru Senator Mithika Linturi echoed that it was time Jubilee woke up to the fact that other parties were preparing themselves since Raila had asked his ODM party to prepare for grassroots elections in preparation for the 2022 race.
