Majority Leaders of both Houses of Parliament have faulted opposition chief Raila Odinga over his criticism of the government, urging him to respect President William Ruto who has publicly backed his African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson bid.

Speaking in Teso North, Busia County on Saturday, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruyot and his National Assembly counterpart Kimani Ichung’wah took issue with Mr. Odinga reprimanding Ruto’s regime despite the President being at the forefront to drum up support for his AUC candidature.

MP Ichung’wah boastfully told off Mr. Odinga against lecturing the President on matters politics and the economy, saying Ruto had beaten him in both issues by winning the 2022 elections and revamping the economy respectively.

The Kikuyu MP instead advised the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leader to show his gratitude to the Head of State by staying humble.

“We are asking our friend Raila, William Ruto understands the issues of the economy better than you; he has turned the economy around. He also understands the country’s politics because he defeated you during elections when you were backed by the sitting government. He also understands world politics, that is why he is helping you to become AUC Chair,” said Ichung’wah.

“If you were to be helped my brother, humble yourself because the position we are campaigning for you led by William Ruto is a position that calls for humility and respect across the entire continent and the world. Be humble and respect your chief campaigner Ruto, who is campaigning for you.”

Cheruiyot, on his part, noted that despite the President's efforts to see Mr. Odinga clinch the AUC top seat, the Azimio leader seems unappreciative and is instead bad-mouthing him rather than staying in his lane.

“We all wish well for Raila to be AUC Chair however, yesterday I was surprised by what I saw in the media. Wewe unatafutiwa kazi, badala ya kunyamaza utulie polepole, unaanza kutusi chief campaigner wako. Sisi tunajaribu kumsaidia, yuko chini ya mtaro tunamuinua, na kabla asimame ameshaanza kutusi wale wanamsaidia,” said the Kericho Senator.

“Please, be a decent gentleman and respect the fact that we are doing a magnanimous thing by holding your hand to ensure you are the chair of AUC.”

The two leaders were attending a fundraising drive at Chelelemuk in Busia County to help flood victims.

President Ruto's aide Farouk Kibet, Busia Governor Paul Otuoma and a host of MPs decried the continued floods ravaging the country as they called on those in affected areas to relocate to higher grounds to prevent more deaths.

“We are asking locals especially here in Budalangi to be cautious of the flood waters. Please start moving to safer places to protect yourselves,” Kibet said.

The remarks come after Mr. Odinga on Friday criticized President Ruto's administration over its response to the ongoing heavy rains that have caused havoc countrywide, insisting that the government should declare the flood situation a national disaster.

“Wameshindwa...hata wakipewa miaka 10 watashindwa...mawaziri hawana ujuzi wowote wa kuendeleza serikali,” said Mr. Odinga then.