Raila denies being bullied to cancel the parallel Jamhuri Day event
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Raila denies being bullied to cancel the parallel Jamhuri Day event saying he only postponed the rally to attend a global summit in the USA
Raila denies being bullied to cancel the parallel Jamhuri Day event saying he only postponed the rally to attend a global summit in the USA.
Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement party, refuted allegations that he was forced into canceling the concurrent Jamhuri Day celebrations at Jacaranda Grounds on Friday, December 9.
Speaking at the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani summit in Tana River, Raila reaffirmed that no one could incite fear in the opposition and that he had just postponed the rally in order to travel to the United States for a major meeting.
He said that, at President Joe Biden’s invitation, he would leave the country on Saturday, December 10, to attend the USA-Africa Summit.
Raila revealed that he was slated to address the summit bringing together Heads of State from Africa in his capacity of the African Union High Representative on infrastructure.
“I cancelled the Jamhuri day rally after I got an invitation from the US government to travel to the US tomorrow for the US-Africa Summit. Some people are now saying that I was cowed. I do not fear any human being,” a firm Odinga stated.
“I was invited to address presidents and investors on opportunities in the infrastructure sector,” he stated.
Additionally, Odinga reaffirmed his prior assertion that his coalition, Azimio la Umoja, had triumphed in the General Election held in August.
His comments came after reports of a deal prompted the leader of the Azimio group to abruptly cancel the rally.
The plan to enshrine the Office of the Official Leader of Opposition was cited as a contributing reason in the decision to call off the Jamhuri Day event, according to sources close to President William Ruto and Odinga.
Opiyo Wandayi, the leader of the minority in the national assembly, announced the cancellation of the event a day after opposition leaders had urged their supporters to show up in force at Jacaranda Grounds.
Also read,
Raila to fly to the USA for the first time since August elections
Azimio leader resigns citing erosion of the coalition’s ideals
Wajackoyah demands a share of the opposition office
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