Ruto Rejects Calls to Rejoin ODM
President William Ruto has responded to calls by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Deputy Party Leader, Simba Arati, to rejoin the party.
Speaking during the ODM Founders Dinner on Saturday, the President maintained his loyalty to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) but insisted he would still support the broad-based government.
Wearing a yellow Kaunda suit to represent UDA and an orange hat to represent ODM, Ruto, who is a founding member of ODM and has even served as a deputy party leader for the same, jested that he had to include the yellow colour to avoid rumours that he had left the ruling party.
“Earlier today, I was in Kitui, and I knew that when I come for this ODM meeting, Simba Arati will start telling me to join ODM because he is used to saying it,” Ruto said, eliciting chuckles from the crowd.
“I knew the UDA members would think I had left them, so I decided to wear yellow so that they could see I was still with them. But I had to mix with orange so that they can see I am still broad-based. I hear the Ukambani colour is also yellow, so I started in Kitui, then I came here.”
However, he committed that his administration would offer any needed support to the ODM Party going forward, even highlighting the ODM Party members currently serving in his Cabinet.
