In a rare moment of prestige, ODM leader hailed Deputy President William Ruto as 'his great from and a warrior from the mountain' when the two shared platform in Kisumu on Saturday.
In recent years, Raila and Ruto have been at loggerheads even despite the fact that they belonged to a similar camp in 2007 elections in which Raila almost won.
And at Kisumu, worshippers were left excited when Raila showed great respect to the man who one can say has denied him presidency twice.
He said: "sasa ni wakati wangu wa kumwalika rafiki yangu, Ondiel Jagot, Naibu wa Rais William Ruto aje aongee na nyinyi," Raila said. https://twitter.com/RobertAlai/status/1084135835488923653?s=19
It loosely translates to: "It's now my pleasure to invite my good friend for many years, a warrior from the mountain, Deputy President William Ruto to speak to you."
In Luo culture, great politicians from North Rift are reffered to as Ondiel Jagot meaning warriors from the mountain. During the burial of Chelat Mutai, a former politician and critic of government, Raila used the same term in reference to her.
Blogger Robert Alai also predicted a possible political tsunami, saying that it's rare for Raila to praise politicians using the terms.
"Raila called Ruto 'Ondiel Jagot'. Intesresting. That's an honour. Kenyans might be surprised," Alai wrote on Twitter.
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