On Thursday, 17th August, the political scene in Kenya witnessed an unexpected development. Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga made an appearance at the 8th Devolution Conference held in Eldoret. This event, marking the 10th anniversary of the conference’s inception, had been a significant moment for political leaders and representatives from all over the country to come together.
Prior to this gathering, there were rife speculations in the political arena about Raila Odinga’s potential absence. Rumors had it that, in association with the Azimio Governors, he might choose to boycott the event. This speculated decision was believed to be rooted in the ongoing intense political rivalry between the current government and the opposition. Nonetheless, those murmurs were put to rest when Raila graced the event with his presence.
However, what was meant to be a day of unity and celebration was overshadowed by political maneuverings. On the very day when many awaited Raila Odinga’s key speech, there were reports of deliberate absences. Leaders affiliated with the Kenya Kwanza political faction, it seems, made a conscious choice to snub the former Prime Minister.
Phillip Etale, the Director of Communications for the ODM Party, shed light on these conspicuous absences. In a notable revelation, Etale pointed out Senate Speaker Amason Kingi’s absence on the day. Kingi, who had been an active participant throughout the conference, chose not to attend the particular day when Raila was scheduled to speak.
Etale’s allegations further highlighted the lengths to which this apparent snub went. According to him, while Raila addressed the gathering in Eldoret, Kingi secluded himself in a hotel room for the entire day, deliberately avoiding any potential interaction. In a twist of events, Kingi made an appearance the very next day during the conference’s closing ceremony. By that time, Raila had already departed from the venue.
The reasons for such a move remain speculative, with no concrete reasoning provided by Kingi or his representatives.
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