Raila: No Handshake Talk in Three Meetings with Ruto
Raila Odinga, the leader of the opposition, stated that he and President William Ruto did not engage in Handshake talks during their three meetings within 24 hours over the weekend.
On Tuesday, Mr. Odinga described his meetings with President Ruto at the burial of Ms. Mukami Kimathi in Nyandarua, at Kasarani for the Kip Keino Classic on Saturday, and at Nyayo Stadium for the Mashemeji derby on Sunday as a “chance meetings” that had nothing to do with the political situation in the country.
Mr. Odinga entered into a post-election agreement with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, popularly known as the Handshake, and has been under constant attack by the Kenya Kwanza administration, which claims that the anti-government demonstrations by the former prime minister were an attempt to return to a similar arrangement with President Ruto.
Dr. Ruto has insisted that he has no such plans with Mr. Odinga and that the only talks he has authorized are in Parliament with a 14-member bipartisan team co-chaired by Dr. Otiende Amollo (Rarieda, ODM) and George Murugara (Tharaka, UDA).
Tuesday in Nairobi, the leader of Azimio stated that they did not discuss politics with the President during their three meetings, stating that they only spoke about soccer in the VIP lounge of Nyayo Stadium.
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“I wish to inform Rigathi Gachagua that the only topic we discussed was football. As a matter of record, we do not desire a handshake with the government and have not requested one. It was a chance encounter; I had no idea he was visiting Kasarani. I was invited to the event, and upon arrival, I observed the president also arriving. “There was no planning,” Mr. Odinga stated.
Regarding their meeting at Nyayo Stadium during the Gor Mahia vs. AFC Leopard derby, Mr. Odinga stated that he learned the President was attending the match while en route to the stadium from Makadara.
When I asked why there was a traffic jam at Makadara on my way to Nyayo, I was told that the President was going to the stadium for the game. We met in the lounge during halftime and only discussed football,” Mr. Odinga explained.
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Mr. Odinga stated that the burial of Ms. Mukami was a State burial and that he was required to attend when he met the President and they shook hands.
The meeting between the President and the former Prime Minister at the three events sparked speculation that a political truce was imminent.
In the absence of the Deputy President, both Nyayo and Kasarani camps. Shared photographs of the President and Mr. Odinga sitting side-by-side and did so with gusto.
In a joint interview with the media on Sunday. President Ruto explained to reporters that the DP was not present in the three locations. Because he had other obligations, so there is no need to speculate.
“Did he say he would travel to Kasarani? My deputy had other obligations, so you should cease this,” President Ruto told reporters when asked why his deputy was absent from both the Nyayo and Kasarani meetings with Mr. Odinga.
This comes as Mr. Odinga has continued to exert pressure on the government over the Finance Bill of 2023. Threatening to mobilize Kenyans against it if Kenya Kwanza uses its numerical strength to pass it in the National Assembly.
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“If this bill is rushed through the legislature, Kenya Kwanza will have no choice but to mobilize citizens across the nation to fight for themselves. We will have no choice but to mobilize all social sectors and take all necessary political actions to stop this blow and burden,” said Mr. Odinga.
In the interest of Kenya’s suffering populace, he stated that the coalition demands a major revision to the Bill.
“The Finance Bill 2023 unfairly punishes a dwindling middle class that is already enduring severe blows and cannot afford to pay more taxes.” The most tangible effect of this bill will be to increase the number of poor Kenyans, according to Mr. Odinga.
Mr. Odinga also urged the general public to lobby their elected officials. To join them in opposing the Bill in parliament.
The leader of Azimio, who was flanked by her running mate in the August election, Martha Karua, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, former Murang’a governor Mwangi wa Iria, and Wycliffe Oparanya, stated that Azimio will not support the Bill on the House floor.
Instead of increasing taxes on Kenyans, the government should address the economy’s numerous structural flaws, he argued.
Mr. Odinga stated that the government should prioritize addressing the root causes. For Kenya Revenue Authority’s inability to meet its revenue targets. The weakening shilling, and bolstering institutions charged with combating corruption.
Mr. Odinga described President Ruto’s response to the scandal at Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa). As a reaction to a major issue of government corruption.
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He stated that the scandal at Kemsa is only the tip of the iceberg. When it comes to the administration of Kenya Kwanza.
This corruption is going to see a hemorrhage of corruption. Mr. Odinga stated, “We have always questioned why it is the President who typically discusses policy issues with ministers when there are Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries in charge of their respective ministries.”
“CS or the accounting officer who is the PS should have brought up these questions with Kemsa.” Mr. Odinga added that the President’s action raises more questions than it answers about this government.
In response to a botched Sh3.7 billion tender. For the supply of treated mosquito nets to prevent malaria among millions of low-income households. President Ruto fired Public Health Principal Secretary Josephine Mburu and the entire board at Kemsa on Monday.
Raila: No Handshake Talk in Three Meetings with Ruto
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