[Deputy President William Ruto with Prsident Uhuru Kenyatta. Raila Odinga claims Ruto was behind formation of grand coalition government. Photo/Nation]
The ideal to form grand coalition government in which PNU and ODM shared power was orchestrated by Deputy President William Ruto, opposition leader Raila Odinga has said.
At the eve of post-election violence in 2008, the two political divides through the aid of eminent African persons led by Koffi Annan brokered a deal that saw Mwai Kibaki retain presidency while Raila Odinga bcome Kenya’s second Prime Minister.
In a jibe directed to Ruto, who has been accusing Odinga of allegedly pushing for formation of a similar government, Odinga claimed that Ruto, then in ODM, sanctified the talks.
“I am not ready for a grand coalition government. I want to take over the government and that is my stand,” he said, questioning the remarks of Ruto in several public rallies.
He added:” Actually, ODM won 2007 elections and we were keen to take over but when things got worse, Ruto called for negotiations. He should stop the pretense.”
During the talks, Ruto, James Orengo and Musalia Mudavadi appeared for ODM while Sam Ongeri, Moses Wetangula and Mutula Kilonzo represented PNU.
Odinga, 72, insists he will not take part in repeat presidential polls until critical reforms are executed in IEBC, a move that has not gone down well with the Jubilee government.