Raila apologises to Rwanda over Roads CS autocracy claims

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has warned that Kenya will pay a steep price for what he termed as Kenya Kwanza’s recklessness.

This comes on the backdrop of Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s remarks that Rwanda is an autocratic State where President Paul Kagame’s word is law.

“To our Rwandese brothers and sisters, we apologise for the sins of a regime intoxicated by power and corruption. The coarse language used against the great country and friendly people of Rwanda is most unfortunate,” said Raila (pictured).

He added: “As a party, we are concerned and disturbed by the direction Kenya Kwanza regime is taking on the global stage. Our country will pay a steep price for this Kenya Kwanza recklessness.”

Etiquette
He said that Kenya opened another war with Rwanda through a cabinet secretary using “intemperate and undiplomatic language” against this friendly neighbouring member of the East African Community.

“Statecraft and diplomacy require a different and more sophisticated etiquette beyond expensive watches, suits and walking sticks,” said Raila in a veiled inference to Murkomen.

In a statement dispatched to newsrooms yesterday evening, Raila said Kenya Kwanza is failing the diplomacy test, and the country in the process.

Petroleum saga

He stated that Uganda has been forced to go to the High Court in Kenya through its Uganda Petroleum Company to challenge a formula instigated by the Kenya Kwanza that forces Uganda to have its petroleum products transiting through Kenya to pay a “middleman” fee.

“Uganda is now forced to desperately seek relief through our Court system to protect itself from the greed of the Ruto regime. We have seen the hands of the cartel that now wields power in the Petroleum sector as if it belongs to one ethnic village. Uganda’s right to access the sea as a landlocked country is recognized and protected by several international agreements and conventions,” said Raila.