This archive report was first published on 2 November 2019.
On November 2, 2019, Deputy President William Ruto made a bold promise to ensure the Jubilee candidate McDonald Mariga wins the forthcoming Kibra by-election scheduled for November 7.
The move is seen as a direct challenge to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga, who Ruto believes is already too old for politics.
While presiding over a fundraising event at AIC Church in Kabartonjo, Baringo North sub-county, Ruto made some scathing remarks about Raila, saying he should retire from politics and go warm his bed in Bondo.
‘This exercise is a ‘do or die’ and it should actually tell the ‘aging’ Raila that his time in politics is over and he ought to retire honorably and go back to warm his bedroom in Bondo,’ Ruto said.
Ruto's comments were seen as a clear reference to the President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga's handshake union, which he has been critical of.
He humorously added that they have even prepared a nice bed for Raila, ready to escort him home together with his entire luggage, saying Raila is really aging and tired in politics.
