Deputy President William Ruto to Raila: I’m Prepared to Face You in 2022

Deputy President William Ruto says he is ready to lock horns with Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga in the 2022 presidential election.

Speaking on Sunday, Ruto said he is not afraid to face Odinga but challenged him to first declare whether he is ready to accept defeat.

“I have heard that he has announced that he wants to compete with me in 2022. I do not have a problem competing with him, but he must first tell and assure Kenyans that in case of a defeat, he will accept the decision of the Kenyan voters,” said Ruto in reference to Sunday Nation’s article about Odinga’s 2022 presidential bid.

Ruto added: “Let him first tell the country that in case of defeat, he will not cause chaos.”

Ruto was, however, quick to mention that his focus at the moment is to deliver the Jubilee government’s development agenda.

“But for the time being, I want to tell him that I am busy ensuring that the Jubilee manifesto and the Big Four agenda are realized,” said Ruto.

In a statement on Sunday, Odinga rubbished the newspaper reports, stating that he was yet to declare his bid to succeed President Kenyatta in 2022.

“Raila Odinga strongly objects to reports appearing in the Sunday Nation today that put him in a presidential race he has not declared any interest in and which does not exist currently,” read part of the statement released by Odinga’s spokesman Dennis Onyango.

“Mr. Odinga entered no race yesterday and he knows no race that is on as reported in Sunday Nation.  It’s way too early.”