President William Ruto has responded to calls for him to rejoin the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party after the demise of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Speaking at the ODM Founders Dinner, Ruto said he is proud to be among the founding members of the party.

He recalled serving as the deputy party leader, adding that his story is incomplete without his time at the ODM Party.

“I am very proud that today, being President of Kenya, I have my roots in ODM. Nobody can take that away from me. You may not like it, but that is a fact. You cannot write the story of William Ruto and complete without saying he was a founder member and deputy party leader of ODM,” Ruto said.

Ruto responded to one of the attendees who asked to come back to the ODM Party.

“Mnasema nirudi nyumbani si niko nyumbani tayari,” he said.

He also responded to Kisii Governor Simba Arati, who has openly asked him to leave his UDA party and come back to ODM.

Wearing Yellow and Orange

Ruto jokingly said he chose to wear a yellow attire to assure his UDA Party members that he is still with them.

However, Ruto mentioned that he chose to wear an orange hat to match ODM colours and reflect the broad-based government between the two parties.

“Simba Arati amezoea kusema si utoke huko ukuje kwa ODM. Nikasema watu wa UDA watafikiri nimehama nikasema wachanivae yellow ndiyo waone bado niko. Nikasema nichanganye na orange ndiyo ionekane ni broad-based,” Ruto added.

Also Read: Ruto’s Next Move: Will He Rejoin ODM to Succeed Raila?

Running Against Raila & ODM

Ruto revealed that he was never worried during the 2022 presidential elections.

He stated that he was bothered by who could have won between him and Raila since their plans for the country were similar.

“In this part election, 2022, my team was having sleepless nights. I was sleeping because it didn’t matter to me who won the election, whether Raila won or I won, we had almost the same plan,” he said.

Also Read: Winnie Odinga Breaks Silence on ODM Position in Broad-based Government

Ruto’s Message to Oburu Oginga

Ruto said Raila was consulted with his brother, Oburu Odinga, on every political decision he made.

He revealed that Oburu was the third person to learn of the broad-based government discussions between him and Raila.

“On every matter that I discussed with Raila, if there was to be a second person, it would be Oburu Odinga. I remember when we were discussing this broad-based arrangement, he said the first person we must call is Oburu. It was Oburu who came and told us this is the list of ministries we are considering. It was a fairly long list,” he said.

He urged Oburu to lead ODM with the same vigour as his brother and uphold his vision as the new party leader.

“With the same confidence your brother had and the same friendship you carried through with him, it is my hope and wish that you will not let him down. That you will stand up for what he stood for, match up to his vision, and work for this party like he did,” Ruto added.

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ODM party leader Oburu Odinga and other members at past event. PHOTO/Lixels