Raila, Deputy President William Ruto Share Podium amid Political Tensions

Opposition chief Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto have shared a podium amidst political tensions over 2022 succession politics.

The two political nemeses have on Saturday attended a ceremony at Uzima College where Rev. Philip Anyolo has been installed as the new Kisumu Catholic diocese Archbishop.

Rev. Anyolo, who is the chairperson of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), takes over from Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth who is retiring after being in the helm in the past five decades.

Politics was expected to dominate the religious function but the two and other leaders have refrained from political talk.

Other leaders at the ceremony include CSs Eugene Wamalwa (Devolution) and Raychelle Omamo (Defence); Governors Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu) and Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma); MPs Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini) and Otiende Amolo (Rarieda); Senators Moses Kajwang (Homa Bay) and Moses Wetangula (Bungoma).

Leaders allied to DP William Ruto have accused Odinga of trying to use his March 9th handshake with President Kenyatta to wreck Jubilee party.

The ruling party has witnessed divisions in recent weeks with former Jubilee vice-chairperson David Murathe leading the revolt.

Murathe has vowed to use all means to block Ruto from running for President in 2022. He argues that the DP is not fit to succeed President Kenyatta.

"We have watched him. We have seen how he runs things. It’s known. Ask anybody even from his Rift Valley backyard… The people whose toes he steps on… The people who are given orders and directives to do some unorthodox stuff that ends up landing them into trouble,” Murathe said.