[Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in a past event. He has dismissed claims that he envies his former deputy leader William Ruto. Photo/Nation]
ODM leader Raila Odinga insists that he has a ‘cordial’ working relationship with Deputy President William Ruto adding that their often public spat is normal.
Ruto, a former ally of Mr. Odinga occasionally launches scathing attack on the veteran leaders with the latest being when Odinga was unveiled as opposition flag bearer.
And on Thursday when he appeared on a local TV, Odinga defended his former deputy saying he was at liberty to criticize him.
“I am not in any contest with Ruto and I don’t remember when I engaged him. He is my friend and whatever happens between us is just politics and nothing else,” Odinga said.
He added: “He has a right to critic me and that does not translate into enmity. Whatever happens in political podiums dos not translate into real life.”
But Ruto has always insisted that the ODM leader has no capacity to lead the country and has since dismissed his presidential bid.
In 2008, Ruto served as Odinga’s deputy but the due fell out in 2011 when the former was struggling with ICC cases.