We're Ready to Discuss Retirement Package with Raila, DP William Ruto Says

Deputy President William Ruto says that Jubilee is ready to enter into discussion with National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga regarding his retirement package.

Speaking during an interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson on Sunday, Ruto said the government is not opposed to any talks with the opposition leader as long as its not about election.

“We are even ready to discuss with him a retirement package,” Ruto said.

Ruto further said that the scheme by the opposition to stop October 26th election was defeated after over 7 million Kenyans turned out to vote in the poll boycotted by Nasa.

“It was the intention of the opposition that no Kenyan would vote but to their dismay, 7.6 million Kenyans woke up to vote,” says Ruto.

Ruto further ruled out possibilities of having a fresh presidential election before 9th August 2022, saying that Nasa was not forced by anyone to boycott the election.

“The Opposition boycotted the elections out of its own volition and cannot purport to demand more elections outside the Constitution,” said Ruto.

"Odinga chose on his own will not to participate in the election. Kenyans had nothing to do with that decision. He should stop threatening peace in the country,” Ruto said.

He further warned the former Prime Minister against threatening Kenyans with violence, adding that Kenyans are not fools to go the 2007/08 post-election violence path.

“I want to tell Raila that violence is not an option in Kenya. Only a fool does not learn from mistakes,” he added in the exclusive CNN interview.

“Since there was only one region where violence was experienced, NASA (is) attempting to export the same mayhem to other regions."

However, speaking during a rally in Kawangware, Nairobi on Sunday, Raila hit out at those calling for his retirement, saying he will retire when he desires.

“I will quit politics not because Uhuru and Ruto have told me to do so but because I will have achieved in uniting Kenyans and delivering Kenyans to the Promised Land. You should not focus on a person’s age but his/her mind and transformative agenda and ideas. There are young people with unsound mind to lead the people,” Raila said.