Home Tags Posts tagged with "Raila Odinga"
Tag:

Raila Odinga

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga’s official twitter handle on Saturday night sent out a tweet that has left many in confusion.

In a rare act from the leader’s formal communications handle, the account in a reply to an engagement post from a local digital publisher, left many struggling to get a clear understanding of his post.

Political commentator Prof. Makau Mutua’s call for the resignation of the Deputy President William Ruto was the subject matter in the post which attracted the response from Mr Odinga.

“It is clear William Ruto is at war with Uhuru Kenyatta. Otherwise how do you accuse your boss of destroying you? It is time to resign. That is what Oginga Odinga did under Mzee Kenyatta,” the professor of law had stated in the post by the local publisher.

In a reply to the post, the former Prime Minister’s account handler at 10:30PM, Saturday March 7, 2020 said, “We are entering a dangerous but decisive phase of this tragedy. The mercenaries have dug in and are daring for a fight. I believe we should determine the time, terms and conditions of engagement.”

It remains unclear whether it was the communications personnel at Mr Odinga’s office that were responsible for the tweet whose screenshots were making rounds on social media in minutes.

Senate Majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen could not comprehend the Odinga tweet. He appeared uncertain of the fact that the tweet appeared to concur with Prof Makau’s views that Ruto had embarked on a fight against his boss.

Murkomen sought city lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi’s help with his response attracting a reaction from former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga.

“Very interesting…the take away words..”dangerous but decisive phase“, “this tragedy“, “mercenaries..daring…fight“, “time, terms, conditions of engagement“…BABA is a General…that is why he uses military jargon that are Napoleonic and Leninist…and STALINIST… ” stated Ahmednasir in response to Murkomen’s plea for help.

The former Chief Justice on the other hand called for caution among Kenyans. He appealed to tweeps not to be easily made to go into war or peace at the will of their leaders, who he describes as ethnicists.

“I have always insisted that its the ethnicists and their barons who decide when Kenya should be in war or peace. Kenyans should deny the barons both options going forward,” wrote Mutua.

The heated debate had emerged from remarks made by the deputy president in Nakuru during the burial of Sgt Kenei, an officer murdered under unclear circumstances in an alleged military equipment acquisition deal.

DP Ruto had accused the director of criminal investigations of using the probe into the death of the officer to undermine his office.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

ODM party leader Raila Odinga has revealed that President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday failed to show up for the funeral of veteran politician Nginyo Kariuki due to changes in his schedule arising from the corona virus global crisis.

Raila who took the head of state’s apologies to the mourners and the family on Tuesday said President Kenyatta had wished to attend the burial but his schedule couldn’t allow.

The former Prime Minister added that President Kenyatta had requested the family to adjust the funeral date from tomorrow (Wednesday) to today (Tuesday) but was unable to attend.

“I will begin by bringing apologies from His Excellency the President. This burial was to take place Thursday but the family upon request changed it to day so the President could come. Unfortunately due to the corona virus visitation, some appointments were rescheduled and he could not make it,” Odinga stated.

President Kenyatta, whose TNA party was founded by the late Kariuki, was represented by his brother Muhoho Kenyatta, his uncle George Muhoho, and a delegation of senior government officials.

Amani National leader Musalia Mudavadi, Baringo Senator Gedion Moi, Hon Martha Karua are among other distinguished guests who attended the burial.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Former Kiambu County governor William Kabogo has blasted Mt Kenya governors for messing up the Meru Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) rally held at Kinoru stadium on Saturday.

Taking to his social media pages, Kabogo shamed governors Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Kiraitu Murungi (Meru) and Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua).

The first Kiambu County chief argues that the three governors were the cause of the mass storm out that was witnessed at the stadium.

While sharing the video of people walking out of the stadium, Kabogo accused the trio of failing to asses the ground, citing that they should take responsibility for the mess caused.

He argued that the three governors may end up quitting.

“Gov. Kiraitu, waiguru and Kimemia should take responsibility for this mess. Shame on you folks. Do rallies in your counties and asses your ground. You may end up quitting,” he tweeted.

Video footage on Saturday emerged on social media showing attendees of the Meru BBI rally at Kinoru Stadium walking out at the time when the ODM leader Raila Odinga was addressing.

In the footage that was recorded by phone, a group of people are seen walking out as a voice believed to be that of the ODM leader is heard at the background.

The ODM leader after the meeting labelled it a success saying the Mt Kenya region had spoken their wishes and went ahead to highlight the issues.

“Our brothers and sisters from the Mt Kenya region have spoken. The issues they want to be addressed through the BBI process include agricultural sector reforms, increased devolution funding, youth and women’s empowerment and constitutional time frames for corruption cases,” tweeted Raila.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Deputy President William Ruto on Thursday hit back at ODM party leader Raila Odinga over his “I taught Ruto everything he knows, he can’t stop BBI reggae” remark.

Ruto shared a screenshot of a comment on the matter, which had been posted by former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga..

On the screenshot,the former Chief Justice had opined: “Students can be brighter than their teacher. As a teacher of law I know that for a fact.”

in a Wednesday night interview on KTN, Odinga said that he was Ruto’s teacher having recruited him to the change movement and helped him gain his political skills.

“Why should I fight Ruto? In fact, it is me who recruited him to the change movement and helped him sharpen his political tactics

“I want Ruto to be part of the struggle against corruption. Running around the country with bags of money in the name of building churches is hogwash,,” the ODM party leader stated.

On Thursday afternoon, Odinga continued with his scathing attacks on his politics student.

“The theft of public resources is now called hustling. The sacking of corrupt and incompetent individuals is now called targeting our people,” he said.

Ruto has declared himself as a hustler whenever questions of his source of wealth arise.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga on Thursday tore apart Deputy President William Ruto over his hustler nation tag.

Raila who was speaking during FOPA BBI forum faulted those using hustler tag to steal from Kenyans.

He said theft of public resources is now being glorified as hustling.

He said it is unfortunate that some politicians have resorted to inciting their constituents when corrupt public officers are sacked.

The former Prime Minister further noted that sacking of corrupt and incompetent individuals is now being called “targeting our people”.

According to Raila, it is through BBI that this pattern of events can change.

If not changed, the AU envoy notes that there will be no nation left to save.

“The theft of public resources is now called hustling. The sacking of corrupt and incompetent individuals is now called targeting our people. Changing this pattern of events is not going to be easy. But it must and has to be done or we will have no nation to save. |FOPA BBI Forum,” he tweeted.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Deputy President William Ruto allied MPs are plotting to stop ODM leader Raila Odinga’s BBI reggae in Uasin Gishu County.

The Tanga Tanga lawmakers on Monday warned the former premier against holding BBI consultative forums in the county.

Led by Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi  and his Soy counterpart Caleb Kositany, the Tanga Tanga MPs claimed that they would not allow outsiders to go and spread hate in the county.

“We will not remain silent and allow hate-mongering that has been witnessed in Kitui, Kisii and Mombasa to be transferred to Eldoret. Any meeting must be organised by the leadership of the area, not outsiders,” Sudi told journalists on Monday.

On his part,  Kositany said the region’s leadership will organize its own rallies with the help of the BBI task force which is headed by Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji.

The two have accused Raila of using the BBI to spread hate among Kenyan communities.

They also claim that the forums have been used to demonize Ruto and portray him as a man who is not supporting the handshake between Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“If those are the kind of statements made at the rallies, then we can as well say goodbye to such forums in our county because we do not want to polarise the country any further,” Kositany said.

Their claims come just two days after the Narok BBI rally that was held at Ole Ntimama Stadium with its discussions being accused of siding along tribal lines.

No BBI rally had been slated for Eldoret town.

Rift Valley leaders led by Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos and Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny are planning for a rally to be held at Nakuru’s Afuraha Stadium.

The BBI train will pitch camp at Kinoru Stadium in Meru this weekend.  Ruto had indicated that he may attend the function.

But this is now uncertain after he warned Raila and his bandwagon that he may try to stop reggae if they continue inciting Kenyans.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Deputy President William Ruto allied Member of Parliament has spelled doom for ODM Party leader Raila Odinga’s 2022 presidency.

Speaking during a panel discussion on Citizen TV’s Daybreak on Tuesday morning, Uasin Gishu Women Representative Gladys Boss Shollei said it was highly unlikely that Raila would become president in 2022.

This, according to her, is based on Raila’s knack of losing in the polls.

“Raila has made his mark in history, he is a formidable politician but there is something wrong with his strategy, I’m very sure in 2022, he will not win the election, period!” She said.

Shollei further claimed that Raila won his first election but only with the backing of the entire Rift Valley and William Ruto.

“It is my personal opinion that Raila Odinga did win the 2007 election and guess who was behind him, Dr. William Samoei Ruto and the whole of Rift Valley, that’s how he won…” She added.

She further accused Raila of short-changing Kenyans by telling them that Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) is not about leadership positions.

“Raila Odinga has said it (BBI) is not about positions, he is lying, it is about positions, we have been talking about the Prime Minister position, we are creating positions instead of addressing pertinent issues.

Her statements come just a day after Raila said that the BBI is not geared at making him the president in 2022, or President Uhuru Kenyatta the Prime Minister.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has threatened to reveal one of the darkest secrets of ODM supremo, Raila Odinga, during the upcoming BBI rally in Meru.

While speaking during a church service in Embu attended by DP William Ruto, Kuria restated his assertions that President Uhuru Kenyatta had been bewitched by Raila, and would use the Meru forum to reveal to the world who the former Prime Minister really is.

Tunaenda Meru… uko Kitui mliona nilikalishwa chini na nikakatazwa kuongea. (Lakini Uko Meru) Raila akikuja nitamwambia yeye ni Mchawi na wewe ni mganga, hapo kwa macho yake tu. Loosely translated as [As we go to Meru, remember how I was humiliated in Kitui, made to sit on the ground and denied a chance to speak. But in Meru, I will tell Raila to his face who he really is, a witchdoctor and a warlock!]” Kuria dared.

“I will urge all the bishops in Meru to pray for him (to stop using black magic).”

Kuria also claimed that the BBI rallies around the country were just a formality since the main BBI report had already been drafted.

“I have begged them (the BBI committee) to allow me to share my opinions just as Kalonzo and Mudavadi did, but they refused. Anyone in Jubilee and does not agree with the ‘dynasties’ agenda is being denied a chance to go before the Haji committee,” the vocal MP revealed.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria has exposed the alleged rot in ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s meeting with Maa community leaders at Maasai Lodge for the Narok BBI rally.

Kuria on Thursday evening took to his facebook account alleging that one of his colleagues had called him informing him about the rot.

According to the controversial MP, Raila Odinga chaired a preparatory meeting at Maasai Lodge Hotel for the Narok BBI rally and ordered the non Maasai MPs and MCAs from Maa Counties of Narok, Kajiado and Samburu to leave the meeting.

The lawmaker went ahead to warn President Uhuru Kenyatta against Mr Odinga, arguing that the former Prime Minister is a Leopard in the sheep’s skin.

Kuria notes that the move taken by Mr Odinga at the hotel during the meeting is dangerous for peace and stability of this great nation.

“Just received the unfortunate news from my colleagues that Raila Odinga chaired a preparatory meeting at Maasai Lodge Hotel for the Narok BBI rally and ordered the non Maasai MPs and MCAs from Maa Counties of Narok, Kajiado and Samburu to leave the meeting.

“I thought BBI is for inclusivity and uniting Kenyans. Dear H.E President Kenyatta. This is Raila Odinga for you. This leopard remains the same, has never changed a single spot. It was dangerous, it is dangerous and it will remain dangerous for peace and stability of this nation. Caveat Emptor!” reads Moses Kuria’s post.

Mr Odinga on Monday February 17, 2020 took the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) reggae to Maasai land, a region perceived as Jubilee leaning.

He met with Deputy President William Ruto’s allies led by Kajiado governor, Joseph Ole Lenku, and his Narok counterpart Samuel Ole Tunai in what may be a political game changer in the region.

Narok BBI rally: Raila hosts William Ruto's allies ahead of meeting

Raila said the community has been sidelined for a long time and explained the BBI will ensure their issues are addressed fully.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has directed Nairobi MCAs not to support governor Mike Sonko’s impeachment motion.

In a letter dated Wednesday February 19, 2020, the party’s chairman George Aladwa, said members should neither vote nor sign any proposal until they are further advised to.

The letter was addressing minority leader in the County Assembly Hon David Mberia.

“I have been directed by party leader to advice Honorable Members that the party is not supporting the move,” he said.

Aladwa said there have been allegations that ODM party members are in support of Sonko’s impeachment.

Read the letter below;

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday February 11, 2020 extended his Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) campaigns to Mzee Daniel Moi’s memorial service at Nyayo stadium.

speaking while giving his tribute to the late former head of state, Raila narrated how he was a victim of Moi’s mistakes during his 24-year tenure.

Raila noted that despite being a victim of Nyayo regime, he had already reconciled with Moi, and shook hands.

He noted that they came together and drafted the Kenya’s constitution for the betterment of the nation.

He then dragged BBI campaigns in his tribute, noting that he had shook hands with President Uhuru Kenyatta to unify the country.

Raila noted that through BBI, the nation was bound to unity and prosperity.

Mzee Moi’s body will be interred tomorrow (Wednesday) at his Kabarak home in Nakuru County.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Former Prime Minister and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has recounted the day he first met former President Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi.

In his condolence message, Raila says he first met President Moi in 1958 when his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga invited the first African elected members of the Legislative Council to their home in Bondo.

Raila says he was a teenager and Moi, who represented the Rift Valley, was in the company of Masinde Muliro, Lawrence Oguda, Tom Mboya, Bernard Mate, James Muimi and Ronald Ngala.

They operated under the auspices of African Elected Members Organisation, with Jaramogi as their chairman.

From that initial encounter, Raila says their paths and careers were later to cross in various capacities and roles.

Mzee Moi once sent Raila into exile, but the AU Envoy says they reconciled after the political differences of the 1980s and early 90s and they were able to work together to bring more reforms to the country.

Below is Raila’s full message.

Mama Ida and I mourn the passing of President Daniel arap Moi. We give thanks for his long life of service to this nation.

President Moi has had a chequered career and leaves behind a rich history, from representing the Rift Valley in the Legislative Council to MP for Baringo Central, Vice President and President.

I first met President Moi in 1958 when my father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga invited the first African elected members of the Legislative Council to our home in Bondo. I was a teenager and Moi, who represented the Rift Valley, was in the company of Masinde Muliro, Lawrence Oguda, Tom Mboya, Bernard Mate, James Muimi and Ronald Ngala.

They operated under the auspices of African Elected Members Organisation, with Jaramogi as their chairman.
From that initial encounter, our paths and careers were later to cross in various capacities and roles.
Moi inherited a fairly polarised political landscape when he became President in 1978. He strived to hold the country together as he struggled to unite the people, often with mixed results.

The decision by his administration to make the country a single party state became a major point of disagreement in our politics that caused the clamour for the repeal of Section 2 (a).
To his credit, President Moi gave in to the clamour for change and allowed the country to return to multiparty politics. He was constantly able to ease pressure in the country through incremental reforms.

Moi and I reconciled after the political differences of the 1980s and early 90s and we were able to work together to bring more reforms to the country.
Our cooperation gave way to merger with his party KANU, which put the country firmly on the path to a new constitution by enabling the formation of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (CKRC).
In his retirement, again to his credit, President Moi carried and conducted himself with complete dignity befitting an elder statesman.

I am grateful for the time I spent with him. At this moment of mourning, our hearts and prayers are with the family and the entire Moi clan.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

African Union Envoy Raila Odinga has departed Kenya this evening for the United States.

The former Prime Minister will be attending the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC.

According to a post he shared on his social media pages, he will also hold a Roundtable meeting with African Ambassadors in the US to brief them on the Continent’s Infrastructure and continental trade agenda.

Raila is AU’s highest representative for Infrastructure and development.

“Departing for the USA to attend the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC. I shall also hold a Roundtable meeting with African Ambassadors there to brief them on the Continent’s Infrastructure and continental trade agenda,” he tweeted.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Embattled Nairobi County Governor Mike Sonko on Friday night held a secret meeting with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

The discussions of the meeting revolved around Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

During the meeting, Raila certified Gov Sonko as a BBI compliant.

According to details shared on social media by East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Simon Mbugua, Sonko promised Raila to use his mobilization skills, network and resources to campaign for BBI in Nairobi County.

Image may contain: 2 people, people sitting
Governor Mike Sonko with ODM Party leader Raila Odinga during the meeting. PHOTO/COURTESY

Sonko also unveiled BBI branded vehicles and lorries to be used for the campaign’s/ awareness.

Image

“P.M Raila Odinga yesternight certified Gov Sonko as BBI compliant.Sonko also unveiled BBI branded vehicles and lorries to be used for the campaign’s/ awareness. Sonko promised BABA to use his mobilization skills, network and resources to campaign for BBI in Nairobi County,” Mbugua shared on facebook.

Governor Sonko also made BBI-branded T-Shirts, with some Kenyans speculating that he he decided to dance to BBI tune after seeing what had happened to his Kiambu counterpart Ferdinand Waititu.

Here are some of the reactions from Kenyans.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

President Uhuru Kenyatta has told his Deputy Dr William Ruto that his relationship with ODM party leader Raila Odinga is unstoppable.

His message to the DP was issued in a closely guarded meeting between the two leaders on Monday afternoon at State House.

According to People’s Daily, the President is said to have summoned his deputy in the morning, but the meeting did not start until after two hours of Ruto’s arrival at State House, Nairobi, where none of the officials present were willing to confirm the talks.

Sources who spoke to the local daily revealed that the President told Ruto to his face that he has to stop the insubordination as well as frustrating his (Uhuru’s) unity efforts.

“He (Uhuru) told the DP that if he thought he was going to stop him from working with Raila in the unity bid he was daydreaming,” a source was quoted by the local daily.

The revelations come barely a day after President Uhuru, while addressing a gathering in Bahati Nakuru, emphasized that his course to unite the county apparently through the BBI was unstoppable.

The president in a bold declaration said the path of bringing the country together is one of his key plans as he serves his last term and no one will tell him otherwise.

“I will not be stopped in my bid to unite the country. That is the position I have taken moving forward in that direction. I want to ensure Kenyans remain peaceful during and after General Elections every five years,” said Uhuru.

The developments come in the wake of looming tension in the county after Tanga Tanga leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto announced parallel rallies to that led by the ODM leader and his allies.

The Ruto-allies despite announcing earlier that they will be a party to each rally led by the ODM leader made a sudden u-turn after there Naivasha meeting saying they had decided to hold different rallies to reinforce on the already scheduled ones.

A group of MPs sensationally claimed yesterday their colleagues allied to DP Ruto were plotting to impeach President Kenyatta.

Addressing the press at the Parliament Buildings, the 32 legislators from the Kieleweke faction of Jubilee and ODM claimed Ruto allies were out to oust the President because they were unhappy with his Handshake deal with Raila and its resultant Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

The legislators, who included the Leader of Minority in the National Assembly John Mbadi, Minority Whip Junet Mohammed and Kieni MP Kanini Kega, were reacting the Naivasha retreat meeting by Tanga Tanga.

0 comment
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has exposed the man who attacked him during the Mombasa Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) consultative meeting in Mombasa.

Taking to his social media accounts after the rally, Kuria revealed the man’s identity.

Image may contain: 1 person, suit
Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok. Photo/courtesy

When ODM party leader Raila Odinga arrived at Mama Ngina water front, the venue of the event, Kuria happened not to have stood up.

It is at this point that Nairobi Makongeni ward MCA Peter Imwatok  accosted him and took away his BBI hat.

In video footage making rounds on social media, a group of people were recorded heckling the MP as he tried to fire back verbally.

He, however, resisted all attempts as he ‘defended his seat’.

Mr Kuria also revealed that the MCA  is also the ODM minority whip in Nairobi County. 

He cried out to Raila, seemingly calling action against the MCA.

“Dear Raila Amolo Odinga. This is the idiot MCA Peter Imwatok of Makongeni, Nairobi who accosted me, took away my BBI hat and even my seat at the Mombasa BBI meeting. He is also the ODM minority whip in Nairobi County. My fault? Refusing to stand up when Baba entered the venue. Question: Baba is this how Kenya would be if you were to become President? ” he posted.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinTumblrWhatsappTelegramEmail