President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga will today hold parallel events amid a looming political showdown that has been characterised by rising tension between the Kenya Kwanza government and Azimio la Umoja for the last two weeks.
The President is expected in Narok for a thanksgiving service at the William Ntimama stadium. The church service expected to be attended by top Kenya Kwanza administration politicians, could be characterised by heavy anti-Raila jibes.
Raila on the other hand will lead a rally at the Jacaranda grounds in Donholm, Nairobi where he is expected to continue his claims that Ruto did not win last year’s elections. Today’s rally is a follow up of the Kamukunji rally where Raila asked for Ruto to step down.
“Hatutishwi wala hatutatishwa. Tukutane Jacaranda (We are not intimidated and we will not be intimidated. Let’s meet in Jacaranda)!” tweeted Raila yesterday night.
On Monday, Raila said he does not recognize William Ruto as president saying that he rigged the general election. He rallied Kenyans to turn up for the Jacaranda rally to push for President Ruto’s stepping down.
Ruto on the other hand has said he will not shift his focus from delivering service to Kenyans by engaging Odinga on sideshows. The President castigated Odinga for rallying the youth to turn up in numbers and attend the Jacaranda rally yet their children to EALA.
“They have taken their children to Arusha and they have taken their children in Kamkunji and Jacaranda to throw stones…We will not accept that,” Ruto stated.
Ruto’s allies including Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have asked the President not to be distracted by Raila’s political plots and instead focus on serving Kenyans. They have, however, warned Raila and his supporters against rallies that could lead to the destruction of property.