Ruto: My friend Raila has no reason to terrorise the country with demonstrations

President William Ruto says Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga, whom he calls his friend, is not justified to hold what he sees as “terrorising” the nation through anti-government demonstrations.

Ruto on Sunday told faithful at an interdenominational service in Kapsabet, Nandi County, that Odinga’s mass action plan are not for any legitimate concerns.

“My friend, honourable Odinga, does not have any reason to make us fight, hold demonstrations and violence. He has no reason whatsoever. That is just his philosophy over the years and we know him. He cannot change his stance,” he said.

To the religious leaders in attendance who had raised concerns on brewing tension ahead of Azimio’s Monday protests in the capital, Ruto said: “You pray to God, and leave us to deal with them.”

The president accused the opposition leader of anarchy and fear-mongering, saying he had tried listening to Odinga’s demands but but found them unsubstantial.

“We will not allow that. It is not possible and it will not happen,” Ruto said, adding, “He wants to decide himself, against the constitution and with no law; that is anarchy. It is why he wants to terrorise this country with violence and chaos.”

Open to a ‘constitutional’ discussion

President Ruto said he is welcome to engaging with any politician across the political divide, provided “we are discussing the future of our country and the destiny of our nation in a constitutional, legal manner.”

“You are not going to threaten us with ultimatums and chaos,” he told the opposition leader. In his view, honouring Raila’s ultimatums would be “succumbing to impunity.”

On Monday’s protests, Ruto assured that his government will ensure everyone’s property is safe.

“The police will do their job according to the law, they will ensure the rights of everybody are protected: those who want to protest and those who want to go about their businesses and their jobs,” he said.

Odinga has organised a protest to compel President Ruto’s administration to honour various issues it has, among them the high cost of living, alleged discrimination in State appointments, as well as purported lack of transparency in the country’s electoral body, IEBC.

The former prime minister maintains Monday’s “grand march to State House” will be peaceful, kicking off at Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) to the president’s official residence.