Azimio Leader Raila Odinga has revealed that former President Uhuru Kenyatta played a huge role in the formation of the broad-based government.
Speaking in Elgeyo Marakwet, Raila said President Uhuru asked him to meet President William Ruto and discuss the issues raised by the Gen Z.
Raila said he listened to Uhuru’s advice and met Ruto. He explained that the meeting was about the issues affecting the nation.
“When the country was burning, former Pres. Kenyatta called me and asked me to reach out to Pres. Ruto to find a solution to the issues being raised by Gen Zs. We talked and I told him my thoughts and how to deal with the situation,” Raila said.
Raila explained that he agreed to join forces with the President since they have a previous working history.
He said he was the Prime Minister during the Grand Coalition while Ruto was the Minister for Agriculture. He added that Uhuru and Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi were his deputies during that time.
“We said that we want a dialogue among Kenyans because the issues raised by Gen Z are problems that have affected our nation. We agreed that we should talk as Kenyans so that we find solutions to these problems,” he said.
“I talked to Ruto because he is my friend, I was with all of them. Mudavadi and Uhuru were my deputies while Ruto was the agriculture minister.”
According to Raila, Uhuru warned that everyone would be affected if the chaos continued, emphasizing the urgent need to find a solution.
“Ruto approached me, and I spoke to him openly because I don’t like hiding my issues. We had direct talks, but the media reported that we had already formed a handshake,” he said.
Also Read: Raila, Sudi Speak as Exiled Irene Masit is Forced to Miss Her Father’s Funeral
No Coalition Govt
However, Raila clarified that ODM had not joined the government as reported by a section of the media.
Raila said the President requested him to help him pick leaders from the opposition to help him run the Kenya Kwanza and move the country forward.
“I am not in government. We never agreed with Ruto that we should have a coalition government. He requested me to help him identify people from my side to serve in his administration. I did exactly that. I am confident we shall move forward as a nation,” Raila said.
He defended the formation of the broad-based government and calls for a national dialogue stating that they will help bring the country together.
Also Read: Why President Ruto Needs Raila Odinga More Than Ever
Raila on AUC Bid
He emphasized that it is his role to ensure peace prevails in Kenya even as he contests to become the next Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).
“I have shown interest in the AUC chairperson’s job, but I will not be settled down there in Adis Ababa when my home country is in turmoil. It is my responsibility to help stabilize the country for posterity,” Raila explained.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
