Divisive politics and negative ethnicity are the tools opposition leader Raila Odinga has persistently used in his bid to rise to the presidency, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wa has said.

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The legislator accused Raila, who has vied for the presidency four times, of having 'raw and unchecked ambition for power' which has led to tension, fear, and hatred among Kenyans.

Speaking in Nairobi on Monday, Ichungw'a said in the spirit of the handshake between Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta, the former Prime Minister must avoid political brinkmanship and deceit in efforts to reunite the nation.

"He owes it to Kenyans since he has played a pivotal role in the political and ethnic divisions Kenya has experienced over the years as they have all revolved around his raw and unchecked ambition for power," he said.

Ichung'wa further defended Deputy President William Ruto against accusations by a section of ODM lawmakers that he is trying to hold the country hostage ahead of 2022 polls in order to succeed his boss, Uhuru.

"It is Raila who has a track record of using ethnicity as a tool to advance his shallow politics and has over the years exploited divisive politics to advance his selfish political agenda," he said.

"It is the same Raila, in his true element, that we now see using his battery of blind puppets to accuse others," added Ichung'wa in reference to opposition MPs who on Monday accused Ruto of thriving in politics of lies, commotion, hate, and division.