During the burial of Raila aide George Nyang’ira Oduor in Ndori on Saturday, president Dr William Samoei Ruto berated ODM Party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna for suggesting laxity and missteps among the senior ranks of his officers.
According to Sifuna the harassment by police of students from Butere Girls’ High School performing at the National Drama Festivals in Nakuru was uncalled for.
“Mheshimiwa Rais, Bishop ametuambia hapa kwamba kazi yako ni ngumu sana, na mimi nakubaliana na yeye, ata mimi saa zingine huwa najiuliza vile huwa unalala. Lakini kuna zingine, mheshimiwa rais, wanasema waswahili; ‘mwiba wa kujidunga, hauambiwi pole.’ Kuna watu kwa serikali yako kazi yao ni kushika handball kila siku,” said the fiery Nairobi Senator.
“Sasa kama hii drama yote tumeona Nakuru, ati watoto wanakatazwa kufanya mchezo, sijui wanapigwa teargas, sijui wanafukuzwa…hiyo ni mwiba wa kujidunga. Wale ambao wanahusika na kufanya kazi yako ikuwe ngumu, read them the riot act kwa sababu tunajua kazi yako ni ngumu, wasifanye ikuwe ngumu zaidi.”
When he got up to speak President Ruto, took Sifuna head-on and although he did not address the Butere Girls’ saga, he warned Sifuna to tread carefully.
He reminded Sifuna that he (Ruto) was a founder member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party of which Sifuna was now SG and if moved to prick he could summon his fellow founder members to a meeting to institute disciplinary action against Sifuna.
“Nimeskia Sifuna anaongea na nguvu. Wakati unaongea mambo yangu Sifuna, ujue mimi ndio mwanzilishi wa ODM so unaenda polepole kidogo,” said the President, adding “Sisi ndio tulianza hii kitu. Na unajua ukinisukuma sana, nitaitisha mkutano ya founder members wa ODM…tukiitisha hiyo mkutano kukufanyia discipline, sisi ambao tulianza chama. So tuendeni moss-moss.”
Those comments coming as they do at a time when President Ruto is cozying up to Raila Odinga having funded the ill-fated bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship and some of his kitchen-cabinet insiders suggesting an amalgamation of ODM with UDA Party is now raising concerns. Could the president be eyeing ODM Party as his vehicle for reelection?
The kind of excessively flowery tribute the president paid to Raila Odinga at the Saturday burial in Ndori has also left pundits puzzled.
“Allow me to use this occasion to thank my elder brother, Raila Odinga. I have come a very long way with Raila. I want to say I did not know that the man I stood by and gave my all at a moment in my life would eventually become competitors and he would eventually come and anchor my leadership.
“So to Hon PM, I want to tell you that just the same way I stood with you when you needed a man to stand with you, you have equally come to stand with me when I needed a man to stand with. I am truly grateful. When Baba came to stand with me, it was not about him or his interests; it was about the greater interest of Kenya. History is going to judge Raila fairly. Raila, I’m very proud that our paths crossed and we have come through this journey together.”
Online supporters of the president, including Nairobi MCA Robert Onyango Alai have indicated that the president stands a better chance in 2027 elections vying on an ODM Party ticket.
While Kenyans are pondering the essence of the presidential address the question predominant in the discourse is, will President Ruto abandon UDA to don the orange colours of ODM Party, once again?
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