Editor's Review

Raila Odinga had called for the resignation of the Ruto Government terming it illegitimate. 

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party chairman Johnstone Muthama has warned Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga against underestimating President William Ruto. 

In a statement via his Twitter account on Saturday, January 28, Muthama advised the former Prime Minister against trying the same political tactics on President Ruto.

“Raila Odinga's shenanigans didn't start this time. In 1997 he rejected Moi's Victory & later kept quiet after being admitted in Govt. In 2002 he bolted out of Kibaki's Govt thinking Kenyans will support him to bring it down. In 2007 he rejected Kibaki's victory & was made Prime Minister for him to keep quiet.

“He tried the same political theatrics in 2013 but Uhuru was adamant coz William Ruto was against it. In 2017 he coerced the same Uhuru into handshake Govt and again kept quiet. Now, he's trying the same tricks on William Ruto who made him Prime Minister & who also refused to approve his Handshake Govt,” Muthama stated.

File image of President William Ruto and Johnstone Muthama

The former Machakos Senator reminded Raila on how Ruto won the 2022 presidential election despite opposition from Uhuru Kenyatta and other big names in the country.

“Let me remind him that we are watching & he shouldn't underrate William Ruto who won elections against a sitting President, deep state & big shots in this Country,” he added.

Muthama further asked the ODM leader to retire from politics and retreat to his Bondo farm.

“Therefore, it is now advisable for him to leave the political arena peacefully and retreat to his farm in Bondo,” Muthama stated.

His remarks come days after Raila called for the resignation of the Kenya Kwanza Government terming it illegitimate. 

“We cannot and will not consider the Kenya Kwanza regime and government as legitimate. We don’t recognize Mr. William Ruto as the President of Kenya. We don’t recognize him and we equally don’t recognize any officials in office with him,” Raila stated.