Majority Leader in the Senate and close ally of President William Ruto Aaron Cheruiyot has warned about possible repercussions of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s continued onslaught against the Kenya Kwanza government.
On Friday, May 3, the Opposition chief criticized Ruto’s response to the ongoing flood crisis in different parts of the country and accused him of failing to prepare adequately.
Flanked by other senior politicians in the opposition, Odinga vowed to stand in solidarity with victims of the Mukuru Kwa Ruben demolitions after orders by the government in response to the floods experienced in the City.
In his speech, Raila also called out members of President Ruto’s cabinet accusing them of incompetence and termed some of them “clueless”.
However, his remarks and open criticism of the government have stirred reactions about what his onslaught on Ruto’s government would mean to his bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship seat.
Senator Cheruiyot in a statement argued that his remarks could influence the perceptions African Presidents have about his suitability for the position.
According to him, Raila’s hopes for the Chairmanship job lie in the hands of African Presidents who are close allies of President Ruto.
“Tinga’s (Raila’s) constituency now is African Presidents. They hold the key to his next election,” stated Cheruiyot.
“He is out here insulting a man they all hold in such high regard. On election day, when they evaluate his credentials, how do you imagine it will end?”
Cheruiyot’s stance on Raila’s criticism has since sparked reactions from a section of Kenyans who have called him out.
Raila Odinga’s allies downplay Cheruiyot’s statement
Paul Mwangi, a lawyer and a long-time confidant of Raila Odinga was among those who replied to the Senator’s statement noting that the AU job was not a matter of life and death.
In his post, Mwangi said Raila would not sell his soul as a condition to land the AU job.
Also Read: Win For Raila as Ruto Secures AU Bid Endorsement from Another Nation
He went on to state that a majority of Kenyans were against the idea of Raila going for the AUC job and, therefore, not clinching it would be a way of God answering their prayers.
“Firstly, I can tell you that the AU job is not a life and death deal for Baba. He would not sell his soul for it,” Mwangi noted.
“Secondly, I wish you knew how many Kenyans out there are so unhappy about the AU job that they would believe God answered their prayers if Baba didn’t get it.”
On his part, the Director of Communications at the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party Phillip Etale said all Raila said in his speech was nothing but the truth.
Also Read: Fresh Hurdle for Raila as Another Country Presents AUC Chair Candidate
“What Baba said yesterday is the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth. Leave it, Love it,” Etale noted.
Raila’s criticism of Ruto’s handling of the flood crisis facing Kenya came at a time when uncertainty has rocked the Azimio la Umoja faction as questions on whether Raila would continue with his role of keeping the government in check linger.
Several top politicians in ODM have been seen to jostle for the position of the party’s leader in anticipation of Raila’s possible exit from Kenya’s political scene.
However, the idea is not sitting pretty with all leaders, as some fear Raila’s exit would leave a void in the opposition.
So far, President Ruto has mobilized support for Raila’s bid with several Presidents having already declared their support in the elections slated for 2025.
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