Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi/PCSEnergy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has told President William Ruto that supporters of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga are now backing his presidency ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a rally in Nandi on Saturday, Wandayi said supporters of Raila, popularly known as Baba, were firmly behind Ruto.
“Wafuasi wa Baba Raila Omollo Odinga sasa tuko nyuma yako, mheshimiwa Rais, to the fullest,” he told the President.
He also pointed to Raila’s former strongholds as part of the support base rallying behind the incumbent.
Wandayi, who has backed Ruto since joining the broad-based government arrangement, urged the President to continue with his work while calling on Kenyans to accord him respect.
“We are saying that we must live in this country with respect. Former presidents were given respect,” Wandayi stated.
Citing former presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta, Wandayi said Ruto deserved the same respect accorded to his predecessors while in office.
He called on those opposed to the administration to allow the President to discharge his duties, saying respect for the Head of State was necessary for him to carry out his mandate.
“They must also show respect to you to do your work,” Wandayi said.
Wandayi also expressed confidence that supporters of the late veteran leader would continue backing Ruto as the country approaches the 2027 General Election.
He urged residents to support the President’s re-election bid and rally behind him for a second term.
Wandayi has been among the leaders from the former opposition camp who have backed Ruto since the formation of the broad-based government arrangement, which brought together politicians previously associated with opposing political camps.
The Energy CS has accompanied the President to several political events, where he has defended the administration against criticism from political opponents and called for support for its agenda.
His political shift has placed him among the leaders seeking to expand Ruto’s support base beyond his traditional strongholds, particularly in regions that supported the late Raila Odinga.
The broad-based arrangement has provided a platform for cooperation between leaders previously associated with different political camps as Ruto seeks to consolidate support ahead of his re-election bid.
Wandayi’s latest remarks in Nandi highlight that effort, with the CS presenting Raila’s former supporters as part of the political constituency now backing the President.
