No Kenyan has a deal with Deputy President William Ruto with regards to his 2022 presidential bid, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has said.
Raila made the remarks on Friday while responding to a question on the possible effect of his closeness with President Uhuru Kenyatta on Ruto's bid.
The former Prime Minister advised the DP against depending on endorsements, reminding him that no Kenyan has a deal that they must elect him in 2022.
He said that in the event that he (Ruto) had a deal with the president, then that should be dealt with by the two without him (Raila) being accused of coming in between the two of them.
"If he has issues with the president then that's their own issue, I don't want to come in. There is nowhere Kenyans vowed to back anyone in 2022. If there was a deal between two people somewhere that is their own problem."
"(Kama yeye na rais wako na mambo yao hiyo ni yao, sitaki kuingilia. Hakuna ambapo wakenya waliapa eti wataunga mkono mtu fulani 2022 na kama kulikuwa na mazungumzo ya watu wawili mahali fulani hiyo ni shauri yao)," he said.
Raila, in an exclusive interview with Citizen TV, noted that there were many other Kenyans eyeing the presidency in the same election saying there is nothing unique about Ruto's bid.
"There are so many Kenyans who want to become president of Kenya in 2022, it's not only the DP," he added.
Speaking when he hosted Kikuyu politicians at his Sugoi home in Uasin Gishu county last week, Ruto said that his candidature is not a must, adding that he would willingly withdraw himself from the race if his bid will cause unrest.
On the other hand, Raila, whose four previous bids for the same seat, remains silent on his 2022 plans, though a section of his allies have hinted that he might take yet another shot.