President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga to issue statement as anxiety builds over handshake

janet ndila

April 7, 2018 10:10 AM

Statement comes as NASA supporters question deal following Miguna Miguna's deportation

President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition boss Raila Odinga are set to issue a statement on their joint bid to unite and heal Kenya following last year’s hotly contested elections.

This comes at a time when a section of opposition politicians and supporters have expressed discontent with the pact following the detention and deportation of self-declared NRM general Miguna Miguna.

Lawyer Paul Mwangi and Ambassador Martin Kimani who were tasked with overseeing the unity initiative disclosed that the team had made a lot of progress.

“We have covered a lot of ground and the President and Raila will soon give a statement on the way forward. Much has been achieved,” Mwangi said.

According to State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu, the delay by President Kenyatta and Odinga in announcing the next course of action was occasioned by the complex issues that had to be addressed following the unity pact.

Esipisu disclosed that the team tasked with overseeing the bid to unite and heal Kenya “have complex matters to deal with and are under heavy pressure, they should be allowed time to do a good job”.

Meanwhile, NASA leader Raila Odinga continues to face growing resistance from some of his key allies who have openly expressed that the opposition got a raw deal.

Led by Siaya Senator James Orengo and Wycliffe Oparanya the leaders demanded for a review of the deal following the deportation of Miguna Miguna that angered opposition supporters.

I am wondering how beneficial the handshake was going to be to us if it could not secure Miguna’s freedom,” Oparanya stated.

janet ndila