Ruto says he engaged Raila immediately after the 2022 election showdown
President William Ruto has said he engaged former Prime Minister Raila Odinga immediately after the 2022 General Election, dismissing the view that their political cooperation began two years later. Ruto said he reached out to Raila soon after the election as part of efforts to reduce political differences and bring the country together. The President […]
President William Ruto disclosed on August 10, 2026, that he had directly contacted former Prime Minister Raila Odinga immediately following the 2022 General Election. This unexpected contact was Ruto's strategy to reduce political tensions and foster national unity, rather than a response to political cooperation that had allegedly begun two years later.
The President made this revelation during a three-day gathering in Naivasha, uniting leaders from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Ruto emphasized that his decision to engage with Odinga, the late ODM leader, was solely aimed at prioritizing Kenya's interests over political disagreements.
He clarified, "It did not happen two years ago," reiterating his commitment to bringing the nation together. Both Ruto and Odinga had been rivals in the 2022 presidential race, with Ruto representing the Kenya Kwanza coalition and Raila as the Azimio la Umoja candidate. Despite their electoral defeat, Ruto won the presidency, and the Supreme Court later affirmed his victory.
Over time, the two leaders transitioned from competition to collaboration, working together under the Broad-Based Government framework. Ruto underscored that political competition and differing viewpoints were healthy, but the ultimate goal should always be the well-being of the nation. He stressed that Kenya's success or failure impacts all citizens, regardless of their political affiliations.
Ruto urged all political leaders to remember their collective duty to the country, irrespective of their party loyalties. He reminded them that the nation's prosperity depended on their joint efforts. The Naivasha retreat aimed to bolster political cooperation between UDA and ODM ahead of the 2027 General Election. Discussions would encompass various topics, including political mobilization, zoning, and potential election strategies.
Ruto also highlighted the areas of agreement between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio manifestos, suggesting that both coalitions aimed at achieving similar goals for Kenya, albeit through different methods. He challenged his Kenya Kwanza team to confidently implement the proposed policies and fulfill their electoral promises.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
