Raila allies scoff at Ruto over remarks

ODM legislators have hit out at Deputy President William Ruto for allegedly turning a National Prayer day into a forum for political sarcasm to demean Opposition leader Raila Odinga.

The DP had, during the prayer breakfast meeting yesterday, offered to forward Raila's CV to be considered for the position of a Prime Minister’s job in the United Kingdom, whose premier Theresa May quit last week.

Senate Minority Leader James Orengo (Siaya), MP Sam Atandi (Alego/Usonga) and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna faulted Dr Ruto for allegedly turning a National Prayer day into a political occasion to throw jibes at his political nemesis.

Speaking at a media briefing yesterday evening at the ODM headquarters, Mr Sifuna scoffed at Ruto, saying Raila did not need employment.

Personal onslaught

Sifuna said Ruto’s remarks were disparaging and a personal onslaught to the person of Raila, turning a solemn event into a "spectacle of insincerity and hypocrisy".

He added that the remarks by Ruto had raised questions about the genuineness of the annual event and sincerity of Kenyan leaders, accusing the DP of dragging the country back to the politics of intrigues and personalised attacks.

“The DP should focus on salvaging his dwindling political fortunes, seeing as the country has read through his political blackmail and will no longer take his lies," he said.

Orengo said the DP showed disrespect to President Uhuru Kenyatta and other guests by turning the prayer breakfast into a political contest.

Mr Atandi also chided Ruto for advancing political agenda during the national prayer gathering.

"I believe that God did not hear our prayers today (yesterday),” said Atandi.