Raila issues new direction on NASA's call for secession

janet ndila

May 6, 2018 10:02 AM

NASA leader revisits opposition's call for secession

Opposition boss Raila Odinga has issued a new direction on calls to have the country split into two with regions allied to him on one side and other regions perceived to be leaning

Addressing the public in Migori, the NASA leader made it clear that any plans to divide the country were shelved following the famous March 09 handshake.

“The political animosity could have led into secession. When I met with Kenyatta we agreed to end the division of the country, which could have tarnished his legacy in office,” Odinga said.

Shortly after last year’s general elections, the opposition had championed for secession, claiming that particular regions and communities were marginalized and underrepresented in the government.

This saw counties where the opposition has overwhelming support table and adopt People’s assembly motions as a strategy to support the opposition’s quest for electoral justice and reforms with secession being the final option.

The surprise truce that saw President Kenyatta and Odinga pledge to work together to unite the nation received mixed reactions from the opposition supporters some of whom felt betrayed.

Odinga disclosed that their meeting was of equal partners with quest for unity in the country, ending corruption and election malpractices forming part of the agenda.

"We met as only two leaders from our sides who were sworn in with a bible, the first talk we had was after we had laid down structured way to approach the unity,” Odinga said.

Siaya senator James Orengo disclosed that there are possibilities that the opposition will field Raila Odinga for the 2022 presidential elections.

The Senate Minority leader disclosed that the opposition is ”still calculating with this handshake, out of all leaders in the country we know Raila is the only courageous one and we will let you know when that time comes”.

janet ndila