‘Kenya is not a colony of the US’ – Raila chides ambassador over poll remarks
By naomi.njoroge, August 17, 2023
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has suggested that US ambassador Meg Whitman should “keep her mouth shut” following her remarks on the credibility of the August 9 polls at the ongoing Devolution Conference.
Raila while speaking during the event in Uasin Gishu county on Thursday, August 17, 2023, retaliated that Meg whom she termed ‘rogue’ should tread carefully noting that Kenya is not a colony of the United States.
“The rogue Ambassador must be told that Kenya is not a colony of the United States of America. She must respect Kenyans or keep her mouth shut,” Raila hit back.
Further, the ODM leader castigated Meg for her comment on protests and argues that a truce between the Ruto administration and the opposition is a result of Maandamano.
“If maandamano can led to a dialogue between Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah and Kalonzo Musyoka, then everything is good with maandamano,” he stated.
The US was among the international community mounting pressure on the Raila-led coalition Azimio to consider calling off protests and engage in dialogue.
In her remarks, Whitman opined that the 2022 General Election were the most credible in Kenyan history.
She argued that the Supreme Court displayed a free and fair process by upholding the election victory of William Ruto.
“I arrived in Kenya days before the August 2022 General Election; what I witnessed was nothing short of remarkable. Kenya held, what many analysts and commentators say, was the free-est, fairest and most credible election in Kenyan history,” Whitman expressed.
“The elections were observed by international and local organizations, and the results were upheld by the Kenyan Supreme Court, and power was transferred orderly and peacefully.”