President William Ruto has announced that he will work with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to achieve the government’s development agenda.
While receiving the former premier after his failed African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson contest on Monday, Ruto noted that he will take advantage of the broad-based government, a joint leadership between the opposition and the ruling government, to foster development across the nation.
“We close ranks and focus on what we can do for Kenya. The things that require our collective effort as an administration that is now broad-based there is every reason for us to accelerate the momentum for the delivery of the things that will transform the nation,” he said at the State House in Mombasa.
“We need all hands on deck to be able to achieve this mission and vision. It is a proud moment for us to welcome you back home and to engage with you as we drive the development of our country as we engage in the nation-building exercise.”
Ruto further lauded Odinga for his grit during the AUC race, asserting that Kenya has never staged a more qualified candidate in a continental contest.
He also thanked continental leaders who supported Odinga, noting that Africa will remain united towards achieving its development agenda.
“I wish to thank my brothers and colleagues across Africa for their show of solidarity and the support they extended to Kenya and Raila Odinga,” he noted.
“Ultimately we remain as a united continent with an agenda for 2063 that Kenya is going to contribute to robustly to support the intra-Africa trade.”
On his part, Odinga maintained that he will avail himself whenever his counsel and contribution is needed, adding that he will soon announce his next political move.
“We are available to help the continent of Africa but more importantly, we are also available for Kenya. I’m back home, I am going to meet with my friends, my supporters,” Odinga noted.
“I am going to consult widely on what’s going on and in due course we are going to announce our way forward. I just want to say watch this space I will be talking again.”
Odinga lost the race in a 7-round voting exercise conducted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on February 15.
