Why Waiguru dropped defamation case against Raila (Photos)

Opposition leader Raila Odinga is now off the hook after Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru ‘withdrew’ a case she had sued him.

Through a Twitter post, Governor Waiguru announced that they finally agreed to settle their court differences in the spirit of the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Opposition leader.

“Just had a meeting with former Prime Minister H.E Right Honorable @RailaOdinga on the outstanding matter in court. In the spirit of cohesion and reconciliation in the country, the matter stands settled. The Spirit of the National Handshake lives on,” she tweeted.

Waiguru further revealed that they deliberated on matters devolution and Raila confirmed and affirmed his support for it going forward.

The former Prime Minister and now the High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa said that they agreed with Waiguru to “let by-gones be by-gones” and leave the matter of the NYS scandal in the hands of relevant authorities.

“Held a meeting this afternoon with the Governor of Kirinyaga County Anne Waiguru and agreed to “let by-gones be by-gones” and leave the matter of the NYS scandal in the hands of investigators.

“Ms Waiguru said her case against me is now settled in the spirit of reconciliation that the nation has embarked on. We also reviewed the status of devolution in the country and agreed to exchange views frequently on how to address the challenges,” stated Raila.

The Kirinyaga Governor had in February requested the High Court to allow the NYS case she had filed against Raila to proceed, indicating there had been no sufficient reason for the case to be suspended.

The ODM leader through lawyer Paul Mwangi, had requested that the hearing be stopped until he files an appeal challenging a ruling issued last November.

“Throughout the course of this matter, Odinga has made numerous attempts to delay the matter, including failing to comply with civil procedure rules and requesting adjournments on a number of occasions.

“I am apprehensive that further delay will prejudice me by compromising the availability of my witness and her ability to recall matters pertinent to this suit,” explained Mohamed Muigai, Waiguru’s lawyer.

The African Union (AU) appointed the ODM leader as High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa in October.

AU Chairperson Moussa Mahamat said the move was expected to bolster economic growth in Africa.

Raila will be working to support and strengthen the efforts of the Commission’s relevant Departments and those of the Planning and Coordinating Agency of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), within the framework of the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA).

PIDA was endorsed by the Assembly of the Union in January 2012.

The NASA leader’s mandate includes mobilising further political support from Member States and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and facilitating greater ownership by all concerned stakeholders on the continent.