DP Ruto Breaks Silence on Coalition Talks with Raila, Meeting Oparanya

Deputy President William Ruto has rubbished claims of ongoing coalition talks between him and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

The DP through his Director of Communications Emmanuel Talam noted that currently there have been no talks, adding that if the same happens it will be made public.

Regarding the meeting between DP Ruto and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Talam noted that the meeting had nothing to do with ODM leader Raila Odinga.

According to Talam, Ruto met Oparanya in his capacity as Kakamega governor, adding that the latter was neither representing ODM nor its leadership.

He, however, did not indicate details of the Ruto-Oparanya meeting.

"I can tell you without any fear or doubt that there are no talks about 2022 between the Deputy President and the former Prime Minister. If and when they happen, they will be made public," Talam told a local daily.

Meanwhile, allies of the DP and those of Raila have also dismissed reports that the two leaders are engaged in coalition talks.

Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua who is a close confidant of the DP has on several occasions said they don’t share the same vision with Odinga, therefore, they can’t form a coalition.

“…There is also the issue of ideological differences where Ruto believes in a bottom-up economy and empowering the common citizens while Raila believes in an economy that enriches the top of the pyramid.

“Raila has fought the empowerment of hustlers, he is against harambees for religious organisations, in fact, his men have sponsored a bill to punish people who organise harambees. We on this other side are rooting for hustlers,” he said.

Speaking over the weekend, Siaya Senator James Orengo also dismissed the alleged talks noting that the handshake between Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta is strong.

“I want to say those who are reading between the lines are reading it wrongly, they are speculating, they are posturing in terms of what will emerge in terms of political alliances…That handshake and BBI is not supposed to enthrone leaders into positions of leadership… I hope that those who are speculating at some point they will come back to the real concrete issue and look back at this unity between Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta,” Orengo said.