ODM leader Raila Odinga has spoken out over the chaos that erupted during Deputy President William Ruto's rally in Kondele, Kisumu City on Wednesday, November 10, 2021.
Speaking to Musyi FM on Thursday, November 11, the former premier stated that neither he nor his party had anything to do with the chaos.
Odinga reiterated that the deputy president just like any other person has the right to visit any part of the country and sell his agenda.
"Mimi sitaki kuingia kwa mambo ya porojo, labda niongee kwa mwambo ya ukweli, Ruto ni Mkenya na anaruhusiwa kutembea popote kuuza sera zake (I don't want to get into propaganda, and the truth is, DP Ruto is a Kenyan and is free to visit anywhere to sell his manifesto)," he said.
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The former premier noted that prior to DP Ruto's visit to Kisumu, the county's ODM branch issued a statement welcoming the second in command to their turf.
"Chama chetu, ile Kisumu branch ilitoa taarifa ikasema aruhusiwe Ruto auze sera zake kama mtu yeyote, kusiwe na vurugu yoyote," Odinga stated.
He added that neither he nor his party and their supporters had any ill-motives ahead of the DP's rally.
"Mimi sio mtoto mdogo niende kuorganize watu warushie Ruto mawe, kwa sababu gani? Ruto ni kitu kidogo sana kwangu," Odinga said.
"Yeye anaweza kwenda Kisumu kila mahali vile anavyo tanga tanga kila mahali akipiga .. anabweka hapa na pale, ni haki yake, ni binadamu, apige kifua yake, akohoe, ateme mate, hio ni sawa kabisa, hio ndio mambo ya siasa nchi yetu," he added.
Odinga, however, noted that he had visited DP Ruto's turf in Uasin Gishu and was warmly welcomed with not a single incident of violence.
Following the incident, DP Ruto condemned the act, noting that Kenyans ought to shy away from violence.
He told members of the public to refrain from being used by politicians to propagate violence and instead focus on development agendas.
