Ruto vows not to share power with Raila

By Peter Ochieng

President William Ruto on Saturday maintained his stand against a power sharing deal with opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Speaking in Kiambu County, Ruto said he will not be 'cowed by threats to invite Odinga into government.'

"Ile vitisho walikuwa nayo ndio wapate serikali ya nusu mkate haitafanyika tena. Haiwezekani," said the Head of State.

It translates to, "The threats they had so that they get a share of the government will not happen again. It is not possible)."

He added, "Nitawakalia ngumu. Mtu anataka kuharibia watu biashara, habembelezwi (I will be hard on them. Someone who wants to destroy other people's businesses is not pleaded with)."

But Odinga in previous statements has maintained that he is not in any way interested in a power sharing deal.

The ODM party leader, through calls for protests maintains he is fighting for the rights of Kenyans who are facing economic hardships, occassioned by what he terms as the oppressive Finance Act, 2023.

Ruto's Kenya Kwanza and Odinga's Azimio have already formed teams for talks expected, to lead to long lasting peace.

Azimio wanted the first meeting to be held on Monday next week at a Nairobi hotel.

However, Kenya Kwanza suggested the meeting be held on Thursday, at a public facility.