Raila put on spot over Labor Day speech

juma chrispinus

May 2, 2018 10:53 AM

Raila returned to Uhuru Park for the first time since his 'swearing-in' on January 30.

Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga was on Wednesday put on the spot by the Wetangula and Mudavadi-led faction over the Nasa Unity comments he made during the Labour Day Celebrations on Tuesday.

Senator Wetangula’s aide Mandu Mandu questioned the sincerity of Mr Odinga, after Ford Kenya and ANC were sidelined by Mr Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta during the appointment of the 14-member-team that would lead reconciliation talks.

“Of late, there is no consultation among the four NASA partners. The matter is between the two leaders – Raila and (President) Uhuru,” Mandu said as quoted by the Star.

Odinga in his 15-minute-long speech said that National Super Alliance remained a united front, as the Official opposition to check Jubilee’s administration.

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"We have united with Uhuru to work together. We now have a committee in place. That’s a united Nasa stands for,” Raila told a handful people who turned up for the event at Uhuru Park.

Shaky relationship

It is understood, however, that the relationship between Wetangula and Raila has been shaky since the Ford Kenya leader was pushed out from the Senate Minority leader job by ODM senators. His seat was taken up by ODM’s James Orengo.

The ‘sacking’ of Wetangula was equally a culmination of events which preceded the controversial swearing-in of Mr Odinga at Uhuru Park on January 30.

The former premier sidelined ANC leader and the Bungoma Senator when nominating seven of 14 members to the committee co-chaired by lawyers Paul Mwangi and Martin Mwangi.

Lawyer Paul Mwangi represents Raila while Martin Mwangi represents President Uhuru Kenyatta in the talks meant to spearhead the realisation of duo’s pact to unify the country through the unveiled on March 9.

juma chrispinus