Kenya Kwanza leaders led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah on Saturday May 4, 2024 warned Azimio leader Raila Odinga against criticising President William Ruto who is publicly campaigning for his African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson bid.

Speaking during an event in Teso North, Busia County on Saturday, Ichung’wah and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruyot urged Raila to remain humble for the Kenya Kwanza government to continue supporting his AUC bid.

“We are asking our friend Raila, William Ruto understands the issues of the economy better than you; he has turned the economy around. He also understands the country’s politics because he defeated you during elections when you were backed by the sitting government. He also understands world politics, that is why he is helping you to become AUC Chair,” said Ichung’wah.

“If you were to be helped my brother, humble yourself because the position we are campaigning for you led by William Ruto is a position that calls for humility and respect across the entire continent and the world. Be humble and respect your chief campaigner Ruto, who is campaigning for you,” he added. 

At the same time, Cheruiyot, noted that Raila seems not to appreciate the president’s efforts in ensuring the Azimio leader becomes the next AUC chairperson.

“We all wish well for Raila to be AUC Chair however, yesterday I was surprised by what I saw in the media. Wewe unatafutiwa kazi, badala ya kunyamaza utulie polepole, unaanza kutusi chief campaigner wako. Sisi tunajaribu kumsaidia, yuko chini ya mtaro tunamuinua, na kabla asimame ameshaanza kutusi wale wanamsaidia,” said the Kericho Senator.

“Please, be a decent gentleman and respect the fact that we are doing a magnanimous thing by holding your hand to ensure you are the chair of AUC,” he added. 

The Kenya Kwanza leaders were responding to Raila Odinga, who had pointed out that the government had failed to handle the floods crisis in the country.

However, Saboti Member of Parliament (MP) Caleb Amisi has defended Raila against the attacks from UDA leaders, insisting that the Azimio leader deserves the position of AUC chairperson.

According to Amisi, President Ruto was supporting Raila’s bid for the AUC position in order to remove him from Kenyan politics to avoid criticism on his government.

“Kenya Kwanza, confused lieutenants are highly disappointed that Raila Odinga is criticising the government. Ruto is running helter skelter around Africa not to give Raila a job but to get rid of him from the political scene so that Kenyans can be molested properly,” Amisi posted on X.