President Ruto: I feared no defeat against Raila in 2022

Ruto Says He Had No Fear of Losing 2022 Election to Raila Odinga
President William Ruto has revealed that he never feared defeat in the 2022 presidential race against the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, describing the contest as one between a student and his teacher. Speaking during Raila’s state funeral at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Ruto said he was at peace with whichever way the election went, insisting that both he and Raila shared a common vision for Kenya’s future. If Raila had won, I would still have considered it a personal victory because our goals for the country were the same, he told mourners.
The President recalled that many of his supporters were puzzled by his composure during the tense 2022 election period. He explained that his confidence stemmed from deep respect for Raila’s mentorship and their shared ideals dating back to their time in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). It was simply a contest between Raila and his student, Ruto said. We both wanted to transform Kenya through better healthcare, housing, agriculture, and education. He added that his approach to leadership drew heavily from lessons he had learned while working alongside the former opposition chief during their ODM days.
Ruto also reflected on the pair’s early political alliance during the 2007 elections, when he stood as one of Raila’s closest allies, helping to build ODM’s influence across the Rift Valley. Their partnership, forged in reformist zeal and a shared call for devolution, was later tested by political realignments that followed the Grand Coalition Government. Even so, the two maintained mutual respect over the years—a relationship that culminated in the 2024 rapprochement, brokered by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, which symbolized a renewed spirit of national unity.
Raila’s death in India last month triggered an outpouring of grief across Kenya and the continent, bringing together leaders and citizens in a rare display of solidarity. Thousands attended his state funeral, including former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, and international dignitaries such as Obasanjo. For Ruto, the moment was both solemn and symbolic—a reflection on Kenya’s political journey and the enduring influence of the man many called the father of modern democracy. Kenya has lost a teacher, a patriot, and a visionary, Ruto said, promising to carry forward Raila’s dream of a united, prosperous nation.