Speaking in an interview with K24 TV on Thursday, August 27, 2026, Elachi said Kenyans should not be forced to carry political grievances that do not belong to them, arguing that Ruto was elected by Kenyans and subsequently accepted as President.
“I want to tell Kenyans, don’t carry a burden that was never yours. It was never our burden. We accepted the president because he won, didn’t we?” Elachi said.
Elachi Defends ODM Position
Elachi, who was elected on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket in 2022, said the party had taken a political position that its members continued to follow.
“I am from ODM. Where was it my burden? Why do you want to make it my burden now? Why? It was not my burden,” she said.
The lawmaker maintained that ODM had agreed on its political position and moved forward, insisting that members remained committed to following the party’s direction.
“We said this was the best, and that is the best we have seen. He’s the best. And for us ODM, we agreed, and we have moved,” Elachi said.
“One thing we always say: we follow what the party says. We followed. We have followed to date,” she added.
Elachi Calls for Peace
The former Speaker also called for peace and stability, saying Kenyans need a peaceful environment to work, conduct their daily activities and contribute to the country’s development.
“What we want in Kenya is a country where you wake up in the morning and come and do your work. It’s a country where I want to wake up,” she said.
Elachi said peace should be prioritised because political instability could undermine other efforts to improve the country.
“Before I even gain anything else, I need my peace for me to do anything. If we don’t have that peace, we’ll do zero,” she said.
Elachi Urges Opponents to Use the Ballot
Elachi challenged those seeking to remove Ruto from office to develop a proper political strategy and pursue change through constitutional and democratic means.
“Plan. Plan how to do it right and do it in the right way, and use the ballot to remove him,” she said.
Her remarks come as political parties and opposition formations intensify preparations for the 2027 General Election, with emerging alliances and possible presidential contenders increasingly shaping the political debate.
