President William Ruto has denied allegations that he backed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson position as a strategy to sideline him from Kenyan politics.
Speaking at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Friday, March 7, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Raila, Ruto dismissed these claims as baseless rumours.
The President clarified that his decision to support Odinga’s candidature was not driven by personal or political interests, nor was it an attempt to secure Raila’s endorsement for his own re-election in the 2027 general elections.
Instead, Ruto emphasized that his backing for the Azimio leader was based on Raila’s wealth of experience, leadership skills, and deep understanding of African affairs.
“When Raila Odinga declared his interest in running for the position of AUC Chairperson, it was clear to me that, as a fellow Kenyan, I had a duty to support him,” Ruto stated.
“Given his vast leadership experience and extensive knowledge of Africa’s challenges, he was not only deserving of my support but also that of the government. That is why we went the extra mile to campaign for his candidacy.”
The Head of State reaffirmed that, despite the speculation surrounding his motives, Raila remained a strong and credible candidate for the top continental role.
He explained that his government had made significant efforts to push for Odinga’s success because they believed in his ability to represent Kenya and Africa effectively at the African Union.
Additionally, Ruto pointed out that his political cooperation with Raila in forming a broad-based government was not for personal gain but was instead a move aimed at uniting the country and benefiting all Kenyans.
During his address, the President praised Raila for his willingness to collaborate with the Kenya Kwanza administration despite facing resistance from some opposition supporters.
“This, in my view, is a courageous and patriotic decision. While it may not be the most popular move, that does not make it any less right.
True leadership is about making the best choices for the people, even when they are not easy,” Ruto said.
He assured Kenyans that under the new political framework, no citizen would be marginalized based on their ethnic background, religion, or political affiliation.
Meanwhile, Ruto’s speech came shortly after he and Raila formally signed a broad-based political agreement, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape.
As part of this new understanding, the ODM leader officially joined forces with the government, with the two leaders signing 10 key agreements aimed at fostering national unity and development.
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