President William Ruto has urged all Kenyans to collectively support Raila Odinga’s African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson bid.
Speaking on Saturday August 24, 2024 in Butere, Kakamega County during the thanksgiving ceremony for Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, President Ruto said a win for Raila Odinga will be a win for all Kenyans.
The President termed Odinga as an astute Pan-Africanist with all the required qualifications to lead the African continent.
“Let us all come together and support our candidate Raila Odinga to be the AUC chair. Raila has all it takes to lead the AUC and his win is not a personal win, it is a win for Kenya,” said President Ruto.
In addition, the president asked the political rivals to set aside their differences and unite behind the broad-based government for posterity.
“Hapa akina Atwoli walikuwa wanasema kata miti…sasa nawaambia pandeni miti….kwa hivyo viongozi tushikane ndio maana mimi nimesema nimeweka serikali ya pamoja,” said Ruto.
President Ruto’s remarks emerged 3 days before he hands over a flag to Raila Odinga to officially begin his campaign for the AUC job.
Meanwhile, ODM leaders who attended the event called on the five Cabinet Secretaries picked from the opposition party to carry out their mandate without fear.
“Wale mawaziri wametoka chama cha ODM msituabishe….tunawaangalia sana, tunataka mfanye kazi mpaka rais aseme kumbe ODM ndio chama ya 2027,” said Kisii Governor Simba Arati.
Other leaders present raised concerns over the Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers standoff with Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
At the same time, the Budget Committee Chair in the National Assembly, who is also the Kiharu member of parliament (MP) Ndindi Nyoro said that Parliament approved Ksh18 billion for the JSS teachers and the government should hire the intern teachers on permanent basis to avert strikes.
“We want to see TSC move with speed and gazette employment of the JSS teachers on permanent and pensionable terms because we passed their budget,” said Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
