Azimio leader Raila Odinga has explained why a section of the opposition party leaders accompanied President William Ruto to the United States of America on his state visit.

Raila in a statement on Thursday, May 23, 2024, explained that some of the leaders drawn from Azimio who have been spotted in Ruto’s delegation were invited by the US government.

Raila further noted that the Azimio leaders received the coalition party’s permission before joining Ruto on his trip.

The former Prime Minister said members of the opposition had started raising concerns over the presence of their leaders in Ruto’s US tour.

“Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader, the Rt. Hon Raila Odinga has noted and appreciates the concerns by members of the party over the presence of their leaders in the delegation by President William Ruto on the State visit to the US.

“Mr Odinga wishes to clarify that all Azimio leaders accompanying the President were invited by the US government and have his and the coalition’s permission to join the president on this mission, in line with established democratic traditions and the wider interest of the Kenyan nation, that Azimio stands for,” the statement signed by Raila’s communication officer Dennis Onyango reads.

Raila on Barack Obama’s trip

According to Raila, the bipartisan delegation is in line with similar delegates to Kenya by top US leaders, including the visit to Kenya by former US president Barack Obama, which had both Republican and Democratic congressional leaders.

Raila went ahead to urge his members accompanying Ruto to the US to use the opportunity to help the US focus on issues that matter to the people of Kenya.

PL Rt. Hon.@RailaOdinga explains why some of our leaders are present in the President’s delegation on the US state visit. pic.twitter.com/oarGzjp5ic

— Fredrick Okango (@fokango) May 23, 2024

A section of Kenyans on social media had also expressed their concerns over the presence of Azimio leaders in Ruto’s US trip.

Homabay Governor Gladys Wanga and Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi who doubles as the National Assembly Minority Leader are some of the opposition leaders spotted in the US.

Wandayi on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, joined President Ruto for a luncheon at the US capitol in Washington, DC.

“In meetings with the Congressional Black Caucus led by Congressman Steven Horsford, House Leadership under Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Leadership led by Majority Leader Charles Schumer. We look forward to stronger and mutually beneficial partnership between Kenya and the USA,” Wandayi posted on social media.

In meetings with the Congressional Black Caucus led by Congressman Steven Horsford, House Leadership under Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Leadership led by Majority Leader Charles Schumer. We look forward to stronger and mutually beneficial partnership between Kenya and the USA. pic.twitter.com/jzweQUHeyF

— Hon. Opiyo Wandayi, EGH (@OpiyoWandayi) May 22, 2024

Former Raila’s aide Silas Jakakimba had also questioned the Azimio leaders’ presence in US and told Wandayi never to vilify other Azimio leaders again, whenever they choose to work with President Ruto.

“My Good Friend Opiyo Wandayi should NOT therefore, on return to Kenya, attempt to vilify colleague ODM MPs who in the same wider interests of the nation – read National Unity and Development, opt to accompany President Ruto in future local/national development tours,” Jakakimba said in a social media statement.

While responding to some of the reactions, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed had hilariously said that Azimio leaders had been invited by the US government.

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