Raila Urged to Lead Protests Against US Ambassador’s Comments
Raila Odinga, the leader of the Azimio party, is under intense pressure to take action against US Ambassador Meg Whitman, whom he has accused of interfering in Kenyan affairs.
George Kaluma, a representative of Homa Bay Town, has joined the chorus of politicians imploring Raila to call for demonstrations against Whitman.
Contrary to the opposition leader’s beliefs, the US Ambassador urged Raila to recognize President William Ruto’s government, contending that the 2022 General Election was conducted fairly.
In a Sunday, August 20 social media post, Kaluma also criticized Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who ridiculed Raila for threatening to call for the withdrawal of Whitman, who was posted to Kenya in July 2022, a few days before the August election.
The DP ridiculed the former prime minister as an impotent leader who couldn’t even recall the name of the chief in his backyard.
“Gachagua must honor chiefs!” “Baba (Raila) should call for maandamano against the US Ambassador,” stated Kaluma, a lawmaker from the opposition.
The sentiments from Kaluma came a day after Azimio Principal Eugene Wamalwa stated that Whitman should be recalled, comments that pro-government allies claimed were intended to tarnish the nation’s reputation, diplomatic interactions, and standing.
Wamalwa added that Whitman should have returned to the United States on Friday, August 19, alongside Delaware Senator Chris Coons, who orchestrated the handshake between Raila and former President Uhuru Kenyatta in March of 2018.
Coons, who was in Kenya to broker a truce between Raila and President William Ruto, refused to be drawn into the Whitman dispute despite being trapped in the crossfire.
“We are aware that the Senator is in town, and he is also Senator Joe Biden. If we had our way, we would have sent him back with Meg, but instead, we are sending him back with the message that we are not pleased with the ambassador, as stated by Wamalwa.
As the attacks on Whitman posed a threat to Ruto’s relations with the United States, which have supported him since his election victory, his allies condemned the opposition to neutralize what they claimed was a witch hunt.
Sunday in Kisii, Majority Leader of the National Assembly Kimani Ichung’wah stated that Whitman stated the obvious and should not be criticized.
“There is nothing neocolonialist about an ambassador speaking on host country issues,” Ichung’wah remarked, adding that Whitman was representing American investors.
“The US Ambassador cannot and must not view Kenya through the ethnic spectacles provided by Raila Odinga. She must view Kenya through the lens of expanding democracy in a global village where the rule of law and constitutional government are the norm. Not a world of turmoil, anarchy, and blackmail are the trade tools for negotiating for selfish individual packs using ethnic blocks,” Ichung’wah tweeted.
Ruto is attempting to strike a balance between addressing legitimate concerns raised by the opposition in the bipartisan talks that prompted Senator Coons to visit Kenya and averting unwarranted escalation. It remains to be seen how Ichung’wah’s remarks will impact his progress, given that Ruto is attempting to strike this balance.
The Majority Leader, who is also a Kikuyu Member of Parliament, was chosen to lead pro-government allies in bipartisan negotiations with Raila’s representatives led by Wiper leader and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.
It is also unclear whether the Whitman dispute will affect the negotiations that began on August 7th.
Nonetheless, additional Ruto allies asserted that Raila was using his attack on the US ambassador to develop his profile for a sixth run at the presidency.
Saturday, former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) chairman Johnstone Muthama urged Raila to abandon his political ambitions for good.
“Raila Odinga, you will never be President, and by the way, in all fairness, you should be treated like Donald Trump,” Muthama stated, implying that the former prime minister should be indicted.
Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, was detained and faces sweeping racketeering charges related to alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Nonetheless, after threatening to call for the withdrawal of Whitman, Raila has largely remained silent and instead allowed his lieutenants to demonstrate their strength. The former prime minister flew to the United Kingdom for a weeklong vacation on Saturday.
The White House has yet to comment on the demands of the opposition.
Raila Urged to Lead Protests Against US Ambassador’s Comments