Ruto: I don't have a problem with Raila

By Peter Ochieng

President William Ruto maintains he has no problem with Azimio leader Raila Odinga organising demos against his administration.

During an interview with France 24 on Friday, president Ruto said demos are part of our democracy, provided they are peaceful.

"I don't have a problem with Raila Odinga, we are competitors. I have no problem with Raila Odinga organising protests, It's part of democracy," he said.

Odinga has called his supporters to a meeting at the Kamkunji grounds, Nairobi on Tuesday, to chart a way foward after passing of the finance bill, 2023 in the National Assembly this week.

Concerning the deadly conflict in Sudan, Ruto warned that there are already signs of genocide in the country.

"There are already signs of genocide. What is going on in Sudan is unacceptable. Military power is being used by both parties to destroy the country and to kill civilians. The war is senseless, the war is not legitimate in any way."

He denied claims that one of the generals involved in the conflict, is receiving treatment at a hospital in Kenya's capital, Nairobi.

Ruto said a solution will be arrived at only if those involved in the war come together on a negotiation table.

"The issue will not be resolved until we get General al-Burhan, General Hemedti, political leaders and civil society – women's groups and youth groups – to the table."

Armed conflict between rival factions of the military government of Sudan began on 15 April 2023.

Clashes broke out in cities, with the fighting concentrated around the capital city of Khartoum and the Darfur region.