President William Ruto detailed how he pondered his decision before extending his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta's role as peace envoy in Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).



Speaking to France 24, Ruto disclosed that the decision to offer Uhuru the role, despite their past political differences, was based on how regional conflicts would have affected his administration.

Sidelining Uhuru would have been detrimental to his government since the former President had established a rapport with both Ethiopia and DRC.

Uhuru's values and leadership skills were, therefore, essential for striking peace deals between warring factions both in Ethiopia and DRC and crucial in shaping Ruto's legacy.
Ruto expressed concerns that developments in Ethiopia have an immense effect on Kenya and his agenda.

"I appointed President Uhuru as an envoy because I'm different. I believe that President Kenyatta brings value to the processes in Ethiopia and DRC. What was there between him and me was a competition.

"It wasn't a competition between me and the person he supported (Raila Odinga). Being a democracy, we are mature enough to understand that we can compete but we don't have to be enemies but compatriots," Ruto explained.

He added that as the president, he would always be the first person to be blamed for failure and thus required Uhuru's leadership skills to shape his legacy.

"When things fall apart, it will stop at my desk. I can only be effective in doing what the people of Kenya want if the region is not a problem.

"If somebody else can help me with the regional issues so that I can concentrate my energy, efforts and time in sorting out the issues Kenyans want me to do, I think that is the right decision," Ruto added.

Uhuru was first appointed to lead peace talks in DRC by East African Heads of State on July 22 after he handed over the EAC Summit chairmanship role to Burundi president Evariste Ndayishimiye.

On the other hand, Ruto underscored the need to immediately withdraw Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) soldiers from Somalia. He, however, cautioned that KDF's presence in Somalia was beneficial to Kenya rather than the neighbouring country.

The President established close diplomatic relations with newly elected Somalia President, Hassan Mohamud, and the two leaders agreed on fighting and defeating the Al Shabaab militants. The exit process, nonetheless, would follow stipulated guidelines and KDF set targets.

"Those troops will come back home as soon as we are done with the assignments that we have in Somalia. The new Somalia president has a much clearer view of where we need to go and is more committed to fighting Al Shabaab," Ruto stated.