Kenya has two Presidents, Uhuru Kenyatta, the head of government and head of state and His Peckness Raila Odinga, the man who was sworn in as the duly elected people’s president.
Now, DP William Ruto recently caused a stir when he revealed that they will send Raila’s CV to the UK, so that he can be considered for the vacant position of Prime Minister to replace embattled Theresa May.
According to Ruto, Raila is a retired PM here in Kenya, and since the position was abolished from the constitution, he might need to use his experience elsewhere because he will not get it back any time soon.
“We have a retired PM, and because our constitution scrapped the position, we can send you his CV…,” the DP said during the National Prayer Breakfast at Safaripark hotel on Thursday.
“We have a retired one in Kenya and since the constitution has abolished that position in Kenya and he may not have it anytime soon, we will send you his CV, maybe you can consider.”
DP Ruto responds to Dr. Michael Hastings' request for a PM for the UK#NationalPrayerBreakfast pic.twitter.com/ddWgn6YbaD
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) May 30, 2019
Ruto’s joke was in response to another by Lord Micheal Hasting, the day’s keynote speaker. However, it instead sparked the all too familiar political fury: “I am sure you know the turmoil in our country…do you have a spare prime minister?,” asked Lord Hasting in jest.
But is Raila Odinga really a retired Prime Minister?
On Saturday, the whole nation was switched to the Madaraka Day Celebrations that were held at Narok Stadium in Narok County. President Uhuru Kenyatta led the government and other leaders among them Ruto and Raila Odinga in celebrating the Day Kenya earned its internal self-rule.
Handshake for all. #MadarakaDay2019 pic.twitter.com/7NqqfdHWjG
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) June 1, 2019
As it has been a norm since the new constitution came into being, only the President and his Deputy speak at National events. This means that people like Raila Odinga do not get the chance to speak.
Interestingly, Raila still got the loudest cheer when his name was mentioned in Narok on Saturday. Wananchi in Narok embarrassed Ruto as he stood to speak and mention everyone at the function. They cheered when Raila’s name was mentioned.
The crowd goes into frenzy everytime Raila Odinga name is mentioned.#MadarakaDay
— George Rai 🍅☺💟 (@raioptima) June 1, 2019
Raila may not have a role in the government but there is no doubt that he is the most loved politician in Kenya. But there should be no doubt about that because he is the People’s President after all.
#MadarakaDay2019 Raila's effect had been felt when name is mentioned in Narok
— Domnicneto🇰🇪 (@LochNeto) June 1, 2019
We hope Ruto will not try to donate the people’s president after what happened in Narok.