ODM Leader Oburu Oginga has come to the defence of President William Ruto amid mounting criticism over the Head of State’s recent remarks targeting the opposition, dismissing claims that his responses are unpresidential.
Speaking during Eid-al-Fitr celebrations at the Kisumu State Lodge on Friday, Oburu said the President had exercised restraint for a prolonged period despite sustained attacks, and was justified in responding.
“Mr. President, I know you have been abused for a long time, and you kept quiet. I didn’t know you were keeping those responses somewhere. Now you have released them, and people are crying,” Oburu said.
He questioned what he described as double standards in political discourse, arguing that it should not be deemed acceptable for the President to be criticised without offering a rebuttal.
“But I don’t understand- when you are being attacked, it is considered normal, even sweet to some. But when you respond, when you release your arsenal, they say it is unpresidential. How can it be unpresidential to defend yourself?” he posed.
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The ODM leader also expressed support for the government’s development agenda, pointing to the proposed Infrastructure Fund and the planned expansion of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to Kisumu and onward to Malaba as key drivers of economic growth.
Oburu criticised the previous administration for failing to deliver on similar projects, despite attempts to secure financing, and credited the current government with making progress in unlocking stalled initiatives.
“This Infrastructure Fund is for the whole of Kenya, and I am sure it is going to do wonders. This Fund, together with the push for electricity, is what is required here,” he said.
He added that the planned railway extension would enhance regional connectivity and open up economic opportunities.
The remarks come against the backdrop of escalating political tensions between President Ruto and his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua, who now leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
The two leaders have recently engaged in a public war of words despite calls from religious leaders and other stakeholders to tone down political rhetoric.
President Ruto had on Thursday maintained that the opposition leaders had long focused on personality politics instead of engaging on development issues, adding that he was now prepared to respond.
Gachagua has, however, remained critical of the President, accusing his administration of favouring allies in the allocation of state tenders.
