Ruto Will Calm Down- Raila On Bipartisan Talks

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, on Saturday, May 13, expressed hope that President William Ruto would eventually relax his hardline stance on having the bipartisan talks held within Parliament.

While addressing mourners in Nyandarua County during the state funeral of Mukami Kimathi, Raila recounted his past fruitful working relationship with the President spanning several years.

The Azimio la Umoja leader was confident of Ruto having a change of heart in the bipartisan talks to be held outside Parliament, as was one of the demands by the opposition.

"I have worked with Ruto for a very long time and he also knows me. So when he makes noise out there I'm just watching him.

A photo of President William Ruto conversing with Rigathi Gachagua at the funeral of Mukami Kimathi in Nyandarua County on May 13, 2023. /PCS

"I know he will calm down. We have sent our people and he has brought his people to talk with each other, and when they reach an agreement, that's fine," he stated.

Raila used the late Mukami's funeral to remind the Head of State regarding the high cost of living, further pleading with him not to impose more taxes as proposed in the Finance Bill 2023.

"I have to tell him the truth, that the cost of living has gone up, please don't bring more taxes," he went on.

Raila further defended the Azimio protests that were called off in favour of the bipartisan talks, saying that they bear similarities to the fight for independence by Mau Mau.

"There are two types of violence, oppressive violence, which the system uses against the people, and aggressive violence, which people use to defend themselves against oppression.

"When police chase away innocent people protesting it is called oppressive violence. When people defend back with stones, it is aggressive violence. It is not equal," he went on.

Raila also delivered the condolences of Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya's former President, and party leaders, Kalonzo Musyoka and Martha Karua.

"With me here also are Jubilee secretary general, Jeremiah Kioni and your (Mt Kenya) son, Maina Njega," he stated, though avoiding addressing Njenga as former Mungiki leader. 

He also turned his attention to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over a government directive issued during Mukami's state funeral, arguing that the second-in-command did not order the flags in the county to be flown at half-mast as is the norm during state funerals.

He further compelled the government to ensure that it honours the late Mukami's wish of being reunited with her husband, the late Dedan Kimathi, a legendary Mau Mau freedom fighter.

"Gachagua stated that we would have a state funeral, and I want to remind the government that we do not have flags at half-mast. 

"She had wished that on the day of her funeral, the remains of her husband be removed from Kamiti Maximum Prison and brought to her. I hope that the government will look at that," Raila added.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader also hit out at Nyandarua Senator John Methu for bantering him regarding the demands to open the 2022 election servers after Methu had urged Raila to accept that Ruto beat him in the elections.

"I heard you are looking for the server and I have it. I want to tell Raila that these people defeated us.

"Even in the neighbouring school, Ruto got 585 votes while Raila got 10. I want to ask you to give them space to work," the senator commented.

Raila however shut him down on the servers, expressing that he would interact with the President in the future.

"I hear the senator saying that he opened the server, who told him to do that I have worked with William Ruto and he knows me very well. We shall talk with him (Ruto)," he stated.