Orange Democratic Party (ODM) communications director Philip Etale on Monday, May 15, came out to explain why Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga arrived after President William Ruto during the burial of Mukami Kimathi in Nyandarua on Saturday.
Lawyer Miguna Miguna had questioned why the former Prime Minister arrived at the function late yet he is required to arrive at public functions on time.
“Etiquette requires Raila Odinga to arrive at public functions on time. Routinely arriving late after everyone has taken their seats is a trick to be noticed,” said Miguna.
Etale has however clarified that circumstances forced the opposition chief to arrive late.
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In a statement via Twitter, Etale stated that Raila’s chopper was ready to take off from Wilson at 9.45 am but a communication came that President Ruto’s chopper was taking off forcing him to wait.
“Circumstances forced him to arrive late. His chopper was ready for takeoff from Wilson by 9:45 am. But then came a communication to the pilot stating that Harambee One that was carrying Ruto was taking off and had to wait,” said Etale.
Raila during the burial asked President Ruto not to burden Kenyans with extra taxes saying it is no longer tenable.
"We must speak truth to power. Hapana ogopa, unaogopa nini? Sisi kama wana Azimio si wendawazimu. Tunaweza kuelewana. Huyu bwana Ruto nimefanya na yeye kazi kwa muda mrefu. Yeye ananijua mimi. Kwa hivyo nikiona yeye anapiga kelele mimi ninaangalia tu najua atapoa," Raila said.
Ruto on his part lectured the former premier on the state of the economy saying that the ODM leader can only defeat him in history.
“If you look at the budget, I have reduced over 20 sections of taxes, almost Ksh.500 billion of debts in the current budget, in order to reduce the burden on Kenyans. Pale kwa historia unaweza kunishinda, lakini hapo kwa uchumi, hapana…mimi naelewa kabisa,” said Ruto.
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