MP wants Government to explain Raila US tour with former presidents

By Geoffrey Mosoku

Kenya: Kirinyaga Central MP Joseph Gitari wants the Government to explain the month-long tour of the US by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Gitari is seeking answers from National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale on Raila’s visit, which is being coordinated by the African Presidential Centre (APC) at the Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts.

The legislator said the Boston programme is meant only for formerly democratically elected heads of State who have since retired from active politics.

He said Raila has never been head of State and only shared power with Mwai Kibaki under the coalition Government, so he does not qualify for the programme.

“In his statement, the Leader of Majority should clarify the status that qualified the former Prime Minister to attend the Boston University-based programme for former democratically elected heads of State,” he said.

Gitari further wants Duale to confirm officially that Raila has retired from active politics and is, therefore, restricted from participating in politics and holding a political office in future.

According to the APC website, the centre establishes a forum for African leaders to engage other political, business, academic and public sector leaders regarding Africa’s relation to the world community of nations.

Prime time

The website states that Raila and his Tanzanian counterpart Frederick Sumaye will be hosted tomorrow for an evening discussion in what is called Prime Time.

“On Wednesday March 19, APC will be hosting Prime Time: A Conversation with Prime Ministers from 6:00 – 8:00pm. Be sure to join for an evening of lively discussion with His Excellency Raila Odinga, former Prime Minister of Kenya, and His Excellency Frederick Tluway Sumaye, former Prime Minister of Tanzania.”