Deputy President William Ruto is not an automatic successor of President Uhuru Kenyatta, ODM leader Raila Odinga has said. Speaking at his Opoda farm in Bondo yesterday, Raila said Ruto still has a long way to go if he wants to become the President of this nation.
He reminded Ruto, who is considered as one of the frontrunners in the race for power, that Kenyans were not part of the succession deal.
The African Union Special Envoy insisted that Kenyans will decide who will lead them when that time comes and Ruto is not guaranteed a direct ticket to State House.
“When they were agreeing with the President, the rest of Kenyans were not party to the deal and therefore he cannot impose his will on Kenyans,” Raila said.
He also said that the election will be an open contest between different candidates. He further alluded that any candidate who will qualify for Presidency has a chance to be elected. He likened the second in command to a shylock who is scouting to reap big after supporting Uhuru.
The opposition leader met several politicians including former Molo MP Njenga Mungai and former minister Musa Sirma. Ruto and Raila have not been in good terms since the latter vowed to work with President Uhuru Kenyatta before the completion of his second and final term in office.
The two have differed on radical changes before Uhuru leaves power.