President William Ruto has faulted the section of Kenyans that keep admonishing former prime minister and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Ruto, while speaking at a Nairobi church on Sunday, January 12, observed that it was out of order for the citizenry to stand against one of their own, pursuing a goal that will earn Kenyan respect on the international stage.
The president was referencing the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, which Raila will seek in a vote to be held next month in Addis Ababa by the African heads of state.
He noted that Raila winning the vote would strategically benefit Kenya, asking those against the veteran politician's bid to change their view about him.
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The president asked Kenyans to pray for Raila to emerge victorious in the vote.
"As you pray for our country, also remember our former prime minister, our friend and leader, Raila Odinga, in the AUC vote. Pray for him because that position is not his but for the whole continent and ours as a country. I am shocked that there are Kenyans praying against him. What is your problem? You have not asked for the seat; you are not competing against him; what do you want from him? Please, let us be calm and have goodwill for Kenyans," Ruto said.
Ever since he opted to partner with Ruto under the broad-based government in the midst of a civilian insurgence against the government, Raila irked the part of the citizenry that was pursuing good governance and fighting against oppressive tax laws.
They labelled him a traitor, accusing him of using revolutions to benefit himself.
Consequently, they launched a negative campaign against Raila, putting forward his shortcomings locally in a bid to influence the African heads of state against him.
In the Addis Ababa vote, the Kenyan candidate will face off with Djibouti's Mahmoud Youssouf and Riachard Randriamandrato of Madagascar.
