BY MOSES KONSEGA

1. The Right Honorable Raila Odinga is a consummate politician with many decades of experience. He has almost single handedly crafted Kenyan politics from having vibrant engagement on the National stage. Internationally he is also a respected and revered leader, having collaborated with various political leaders in their journey of self-determination, and revolution.

2. The President is a long term political collaborator, starting out as a political student, to nemesis and now to coalition partner. President Ruto is deliberate in building political relationships that are mutually beneficial, both in Kenya and across the world. This is the secret to his longevity and success.

3. What the broad-based government has achieved in Kenya, is now going to benefit the continent. When politicians collaborate rather than remain as opponents or enemies, the people benefit. Finding merit in this it was only natural for the President to put effort he has done in the candidature of Right Honorable Raila.

4. Unlike others who only see Raila for what he can do for them, President Ruto believes in the statesman that the Right Honorable Raila is, and because of this, he ensured that the campaign for the AU chairmanship was fully resourced and backed by the whole Nation. No Kenyan is not aware of his candidature and as a Nation we back it up.

5. By standing by the candidature of the Right Honorable Raila the President has demonstrated that the politics of division and animosity does not pay, nothing in politics is permanent. Once political contestation is over, it is better for leaders to close ranks and work together, than to remain in a state of perpetual animosity.

6. The Right Honorable Raila has also put in the work, traversing the continent and making an effort to sell his agenda for Africa. His energetic spirited effort is an inspiration to the level of engagement he will bring to the AU chairmanship. The President himself is accused of being a workaholic and between them, success is a reward for effort put in.

7. The synergy between the President and Honorable Raila is evident. The success of the broad based government has demonstrated this. With the success of Kenya in the continental and international will be show caused by the vibrancy that is the new dynamic duo.

8. The detractors of the President and the Honorable Raila Odinga are narrow-minded, thinking that this is for self-aggrandizement. Africa is in the crux of several crises that need attention, most notably the situation in the DRC. Strong and steady leadership between the AU and EAC will definitely yield results to prevent war.

9. IT IS EAST AFRICA’S TIME! Time has come for East Africa to take leadership of the Continent and to this end Kenya has offered her finest and most valiant son. In recognizing this potential and helping make this a reality, the President has ensured that Hon Raila is seen in his true stature, as a towering continental statesman, not just another local politician.

10. President Ruto is a man of his word. He does not abandon his friends and he does not make promises he does not intend to keep. He was the Minister of Agriculture courtesy of Hon Raila Odinga, now that he is in leadership; he is doing his turn to deliver for Hon. Raila.

11. The President knows the value of experience and was not part of those who wrote off Hon. Raila Odinga as a political loser. The world is now poised to see the meaning of the phrase, what an old man can see sitting, a young man cannot see standing. The wisdom and experience of Hon. Raila will benefit Africa, and bring prosperity and prestige to Kenya as a whole.