Raila was at State House as King’s guest not Ruto – Osotsi
Senator Geoffrey Osotsi of Vihiga claims that Raila Odinga did not attend the State Dinner hosted by President William Ruto on Tuesday.
According to Osotsi, Raila was present as a Royal family friend.
The senator stated on Thursday that Raila was present in his official capacity as the leader of the Kenyan opposition.
He stated that the former prime minister was invited to the ceremony by UK High Commissioner Neil Wigan when he visited him last month.
“You remember very well that Raila Odinga was visited by the new Ambassador of the UK to Kenya Neil Wigan on October 12, and that is the time the ambassador officially invited Raila Odinga to that event to meet the King.
“So, Raila Odinga was not in State House courtesy of the invitation of President William Ruto or any of these UDA people. He was there as a guest of the King, leader of the Opposition and a friend of the Royal family,” Osotsi said.
The senator from Vihiga criticized President William Ruto’s allies for making a great deal out of Raila’s visit to State House.
He insisted that the State House belonged to every Kenyan and that every Kenyan had the right to visit.
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“I think it very simple for those in Kenya Kwanza side to overly be excited about Raila Odinga’s visit to State House. First of all State House is not the UDA office, it is not Ruto’s home. State House is the property of Kenya and it belongs to all Kenyans, not an individual. Every Kenyan has a right to go to State House.”
Raila’s presence at the State Banquet where the President hosted the visiting Royals, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, has caused consternation in political circles.
Different groups of Kenyans have interpreted Raila’s visit differently. Raila is making his first trip to the State House since Ruto assumed authority a year ago.
Wednesday, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka stated that Raila’s presence at the State House banquet should not be taken out of context.
He said some leaders of certain categories are eligible to be invited when influential leaders visit the country.
Kalonzo contrasted Raila’s State House presence to his own during an Africa Climate Action Summit dinner.
“At the level of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, I can tell you some of us are on a standing list that we would be invited in the event of an important guest like his Majesty King Charles. It should not be seen beyond that,” he said.
Raila was at State House as King’s guest not Ruto – Osotsi
