Raila Lectures Ruto badly during Brother Oburru Odinga's Birthday Celebrations in Bondo
These were the remarks of Azimio leader Raila Odinga in Bondo over the weekend. The occasion was celebrating Oburu Odinga's 80th birthday. Oburu is Raila's older brother and Senator for Siaya
Raila Odinga took the opportunity to confront President William Ruto over his incessant tours of Nyanza. Raila, a seasoned politician and also the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, addressed the crowd with a strong message to Ruto, emphasizing the need to shift focus from political tours to addressing the pressing issue of the soaring cost of living.
Raila said that Ruto has let down the majority of Kenyans, especially "hustlers" by failing to keep his campaign promises. More so his campaign promise to reduce the high cost of living.
The hustler call for a better life was at the core of Ruto's campaign for the presidency and even his UDA party headquarters in Nairobi is called the Hustler Centre.
"During President Ruto's recent visit to Siaya and the entire Nyanza counties, he seemed more concerned about how the Azimio leaders will position themselves for the 2027 General Election. However, this doesn't bring any benefit to the lives of Kenyans," Raila roared.
The Azimio leader, who is widely believed to have been the real winner of the presidential elections in August 2022, highlighted the hardship faced by Kenyans due to the continued increased of fuel prices, which directly affects the production of essential goods and actually everything else.
Raila urged Ruto to focus his remarks on matters that directly impact Kenyans rather than those linked to Azimio. "When the campaign season begins, one of us will proudly carry the Azimio flag, so we don't need any lecture or redirection on how to organize our own party," he added."
Shifting Focus from Nyanza Tours to Tackling the Real Problems
While political tours may have their place in the realm of politics, Raila urged President Ruto to prioritize the challenges faced by the people rather than indulging in excessive political campaigning.
The frequency of Ruto's visits to Nyanza, one of Raila's strongholds, has raised eyebrows, leading to speculations of possible political motives overshadowing the real pressing issues.
The Need for Concrete Solutions and Tangible Actions
Raila stressed the importance of implementing tangible actions to alleviate the burden on Kenyans caused by the escalating cost of living. Empty promises and mere political rhetoric will only exacerbate the already precarious situation faced by many citizens.
Raila's remarks undoubtedly resonated with the crowd, who like a vast majority of Kenyans, are desperate for solutions that would make a tangible difference in their daily lives.
Why is Ruto making very frequent visits to Luo Nyanza?
In recent times, William Ruto has been making frequent visits to Luo Nyanza, which is considered the stronghold of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. These visits, often referred to as development tours, have raised many eyebrows and sparked curiosity among political analysts and the general public.
Ruto's Strategic Nyanza Move: What Is The Real Motive?
Ruto's decision to focus on Luo Nyanza, despite it being traditionally aligned with Raila's political ideologies, can be seen as a strategic move to try to expand his base of support. By embarking on development tours to the region, it seems that Ruto aims to demonstrate his commitment to addressing the needs and concerns of the people in Luo Nyanza. This calculated approach allows him to present himself as a leader who transcends political boundaries and works towards the overall growth and development of the country.
Unfortunately to many residents of the area this move comes across as being insincere. And in any case, Raila Odinga's popularity in Luo Nyanza has been unquestionable for many years. And so by targeting Nyanza and making frequent trips, pundits are of the opinion that this will not make much of a dent on Raila's political influence in the area and will not help Ruto politically. Many therefore suspect other more sinister motives amongst the President's handlers and political advisors.
See Also: Kenya's Season of Fake Lawyers, Fake Pilots And Fake Presidents
