When Will You Vote For Me? Ruto To Raila After Daring Him

President William Ruto on Saturday, March 25 changed his tune and pleaded with Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga to call off the anti-government demonstrations and support him.

Speaking in Migori County, the Head of State reminded Raila of the trials and tribulations he went through while supporting Raila to the point of helping him secure the Prime Minister's post after the 2007 General Election during the regime of the late former President Mwai Kibaki.

Ruto pleaded with Raila to support his administration, noting that it was the right thing to do to return the favour. He further wondered when the former Prime Minister would vote for him.

"In 2007, wasn't I the one who led Raila's election? The work we did is the one that made Raila Odinga a Prime Minister. Ever since, has he received any other seat close to that of a Prime Minister?

"I want to ask Raila, I'm the one who supported you and campaigned for you, I even voted for you and held it down for you. With human respect, when will you vote for me?" he posed.

Ruto further called upon Raila to support his re-election bid in 2027 instead of protesting against him.

"When will you campaign for me? Why are you staging protests against my government? Let him return the favour and vote for me, I suffered a lot because of supporting him.

"Instead of planning protests against me, you should prepare to vote for me in 2027," he added.

Ruto at the same time slammed Raila over the protests, arguing that they had interfered with development and affected Kenya's economy, further asking the Azimio leader to stop the protests and support the Kenya Kwanza administration to spur development.

His plea in Migori comes a day after he dared Raila to face him personally instead of rattling him with demonstrations.

The President told off Raila over his call for protests, terming them a disruption to businesses and adding that the Monday, March 20 protests interfered with the normal business of hawkers, mama mboga, and boda boda riders.

"Touts and traders, boda bodas, and kiosk owners did not work on Monday. What are you asking them? If you have a problem, face me. Stop disturbing citizens.

"Let me ask you (citizens), the person who competed with him is me. Why is he disturbing mama mboga? Stop disturbing the citizens, if you have a problem, come face me. I defeated you," he posed.

The Head of State added that Raila ought to address him by bringing his complaints to him directly and not harass Kenyans he claimed were going about their businesses.

"Stop the arrogance and contempt of ordinary people. Why are you disturbing mama mbogas. What are you asking them? I am the one you ran against. If you have an issue, you face me. stop going to harass ordinary people," the Head of State added, further questioning the residents of Kisii whether "Do you want us to come together or do you want us to plan demonstrations?"