What Kenyans think of Raila's 'advance' to Ruto in readiness for 2022

Kenyans on social media have expressed their views after National Super Alliance (NASA) Coalition leader Raila Odinga said that Deputy President William Ruto will need him if he wants to clinch the presidency in 2022.

Raila, Speaking in Kipkelion East during the burial of ODM branch chairman in Kipkelion William Koech’s funeral on Thursday, January 25, said that said that Ruto needs his political support in the next general elections.

“I would like to tell Deputy President William Ruto that he will not ascend to the presidency without my political support,” he said.

According to the opposition leader, the DP risks being rigged out by some Mt Kenya politicians, who are already plotting on how to oust him.

Raila made this remarks just days to his swearing-in ceremony on January 30 which has had many NASA supporters ask for after being postponed twice. He had first vowed to take office as the peoples’ president on November 28, 2017, before postponing to December 12 and finally settling on January 30.

During the meeting in which Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) boss Francis Atwoli and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed were present, Raila assured supporters that the plans for the inauguration were still on.

“I dare say right here in Kericho that the planned swearing-in of Raila will go on as scheduled. Raila Odinga has nothing to fear. He has been jailed before for nine years in the 1980s…he has seen the worst of Kenyan prisons. We are not out of our minds to claim that we won the election yet we were beaten. Even President Kenyatta knows he did not beat me in the election,” he said.

There has been a lot of speculations on whether DP Ruto will enjoy President Uhuru Kenyatta’s full support in 2022 or with some instigating that leaders from the MT. Kenya region may elect a leader of their own to compete against RUTO. The Jubilee Government has remained mum on this topic with the DP asking leaders to concentrate on delivering current manifestos.

Following the news, Kenyans have shared their differing views on the same. Some agreed that Ruto indeed needs Raila if he is to make it in 2022.

Yes its true

— Anthony Paul (@Anthony59672136) January 26, 2018

Raila subtle message is: separate President Kenyatta and DP Ruto and then regroup for his 2022 fifth and presumably, last race for statehouse!— Patrick Keymatter (@PatKeymatter) January 26, 2018

Very true, he can't and won't.— Ben Mac'kogilo (@BKogilo) January 26, 2018

Others, however, felt that Raila would only bring failure to Ruto, seeing his history in politics.

Did he and kalonzo win in 2017?why not hold his hand first to the presidency if he is prophet "Samuel" in Saul's case?????— george wainainah (@GeorgeWainainah) January 26, 2018

Too early to make such statements.

— penalt (@mayare108abdi) January 26, 2018

you also can't win without the king of the rift.Dp ruto

— hillary tarus (@hillarytarus8) January 26, 2018

Uhuru became President with Raila actively opposing his candidature and even going to court twice to sabotage his win, how did Raila become the person who gives people the Presidency? Ati Ruto won't be President without him? JOKER!!!— Robert ALAI, HSC (@RobertAlai) January 26, 2018

You are going to be “President” on Tuesday. Why are you begging people to seek your assistance? You make no sense.— Frank Mwaniki (@FMwaniki) January 25, 2018

This man's life ambition has always been to see the Kikuyu isolated by all other Kenyans. He believes the community is responsible for his chronic political failures. That will never work for him and the sooner he realizes this, the better things may turn out for him.— J Kiarie (@JeiKiarie) January 26, 2018

can Dp Join a failure surely?— Maloba Fwano Dan (@fwano_dan) January 26, 2018

Raila telling DP Ruto he can't be president without his help in 2022 is ridiculous. he's never made it to presidency himself.— Kim futalytic (@KimFutalytic) January 26, 2018

A section thought that Ruto’s win or lose would entirely have nothing to do with the opposition leader.

Ruto don't need Raila support he betrayed him 2007/2008 in fact Raila should ask Ruto for support to remain relevant in politics— james gathurai (@jymoIT) January 26, 2018

The issues of memorandum between @RailaOdinga and @skmusyoka its very tricky thing.. Raila asking Ruto to join him for 2022 presidential elections, Kalonzo anacheza karata ya pata potea#NullifiedAndIrrelevant— kennedy Gichuru (@gichurukenny) January 26, 2018

advice for free ruto will just be like raila utaiona kwa mbali lakini hautaingia— bravian machora mca 2022 (@BrianNyabwri) January 16, 2018

Before 2020, Raila will be singing the songs from DP Ruto books. Raila will join Ruto in future politics, Kalonzo will pull out.— Eliud Njiru ????????? (@EliudNjirusky) January 26, 2018