United States' new Promise to Raila after unity deal with Uhuru

dennis kibet

March 21, 2018 4:30 PM

The promise comes after the US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec paid a courtesy call to Raila on Wednesday.

The United States has pledged its full support for the new unity deal by President Uhuru Kenyatta and NASA leader Raila Odinga.

Shortly after paying a courtesy Odinga on Wednesday, US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec promised the NASA leader the United States' full support for the national reconciliation following the unity deal struck earlier this month.

"We discussed the national reconciliation initiative and how there can be no progress without justice. The US has pledged to support us as we proceed with the task of righting the wrongs that have ailed us for far too long," Odinga said in a statement after meeting the US Ambassador.

US Sec of State visit

The unity deal coincided the same day with the visit to Kenya by the immediate former US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

In his remarks, Tillerson congratulated President Kenyatta and opposition leader Odinga on their meeting and their joint announcement thereafter on the steps of the Harambee House.

"This is a very positive step, in our view, and while we know addressing Kenya’s ethnic and political divisions will take some time and effort. Both of these men showed great leadership in coming together in the agreement. The United States looks forward to supporting the process that was announced this morning to bring the country together and to address the various national divisions," the US diplomat announced.

Frosty relations

The meeting between Godec and Odinga brings an end to the frosty relations between the opposition leader and the superpower after the self swearing-in of the latter on January 30 at Uhuru Park.

The US State Department had issued a strongly worded statement ahead of Odinga's swearing-in saying it was gravely concerned by the self-“inauguration”.

It further said that the US rejects all actions that undermines Kenya's Constitution and the rule of law saying that Kenyatta was elected as President of Kenya on October

dennis kibet