President William Ruto has come forward in support of United States Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, after Opposition leader Raila Odinga threatened her over her remarks on the 2022 General Election.
The political climate has heated up as he condemned Odinga’s stance during a recent ceremony in Kasarani.
Speaking during the Official 2Jiajiri/GIZ Graduation Ceremony, President Ruto vehemently criticized Raila Odinga for his comments against Ambassador Whitman.
He accused Odinga of promoting violent demonstrations and undermining the country’s economic stability through careless remarks against the US envoy.
![President Ruto and Us ambassodor Whitman. [Photo/Courtesy] Ambassador](https://news.switchtv.ke/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/rm-og_image.webp)
He emphasized the significance of the United States as Kenya’s largest export market and highlighted the defamatory nature of Odinga’s statements.
“Glorifying demonstrations that are violent, destroy property, and sabotage our economy would be very reckless,” Ruto stated, stressing the potential damage such actions could cause.
“It would be very ungrateful for us to vilify the people who are creating opportunities for us,” He continued, highlighting the substantial investments the American and German governments have made in Kenya.
He urged for a more respectful approach and warned against damaging international relationships.
Odinga had previously referred to Ambassador Whitman as a “rogue” for claiming that the 2022 General Election was the most credible in Kenya’s history. President Ruto stood by Ambassador Whitman’s remarks, characterizing them as factual statements.
Image: RAILA ODINGA/TWITTER
“The American Ambassador said two statements of facts; she said the last election was the freest and fairest in the history of Kenya,” Ruto reiterated.
President Ruto also took a jab at the Azimio One Kenya Coalition Party, comparing their actions to the investments brought by the U.S.
He humorously questioned, “Between the people who are orchestrating the destruction of property and sabotaging our economy and those who are working with us to create investments, who between the two is actually rogue?”
Read also: Raila and Ruto agree to Dialogue Facilitated by Nigerian President.
Ruto underlined the economic contributions of the United States, including over Ksh.220 billion in investments to Kenya annually, which fuel job creation and economic development.
He acknowledged the crucial role of the U.S. market for Kenyan products like leather and textiles.
Raila Odinga, in his response during the Devolution Conference, defended the recent protests, claiming they served to unite the nation and push the government towards dialogue.
He warned Ambassador Whitman to avoid meddling in Kenyan affairs, even threatening to petition the U.S. government for her recall.
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