Come in peace; watch what you say about Raila, Kisumu ODM officials tell Ruto ahead of visit

By , K24 Digital
On Fri, 18 Sep, 2020 13:22 | < 1 min read
Ruto said the need to let Uhuru take charge of the government’s anti-coronavirus agenda prompted his absence during the president's addresses. [PHOTO | FILE]
Deputy President William Ruto. [PHOTO | FILE]
Ruto said the need to let Uhuru take charge of the government’s anti-coronavirus agenda prompted his absence during the president's addresses. [PHOTO | FILE]

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party officials in Kisumu have urged Deputy President William Ruto to avoid direct verbal attacks against Raila Odinga should he (Ruto) visit Kisumu County next week.

The DP’s handlers are currently planning his tour of the Nyanza county after Ruto held successful rallies in Kisii last week. The official tour date is yet to be communicated.

The DP is relying on his recent political acquisition, Eliud Owalo, and former Kisumu Trade and Industrialisation executive, Richard Ogendo, to lay the groundwork for his maiden visit to Kisumu.

The coordinating committee chairperson of ODM in Kisumu, Prof. Ayiecho Olweny, said the DP is welcome to the county, but should be cautious against engaging in bitter verbal assault against ODM leader Raila Odinga.

“If someone insults your friend, your father, your associate, you won’t be happy. We always watch him (DP Ruto) on television insulting the [ODM] Party leader. We are requesting him not to do that when he tours Kisumu,” Olweny told K24 Digital on Friday, September 18.

“If he decides to insult the party leader, most likely, his utterances would cause problems at the function. Chances are high that some people who will attend his event won’t be his supporters, but those of the [former] prime minister. They would be at his function out of curiosity or just to listen to what he has to say. Therefore, if he insults the party leader in their presence, they might yell at him, and that won’t be good,” added Olweny.

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