A section of the government and some senior advisers of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga have made fresh attempts to have him appointed Kenya’s Ambassador at Large.
Whereas the push began immediately after President
Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto were sworn in, it has
intensified in recent days, according to aides of the three leaders.
Those in the know say Mr Ruto has been calling the
former PM regularly telling him that his experience and international
connections could be put to good use to advance the national interest.
Confirming the new developments, the head of Mr
Odinga’s campaign team in the last election Mr Eliud Owalo said the
position was “something being pushed by people in government, but it
comes with the condition that he quits local politics”.
But the new push to have Raila take up a special envoy’s assignment has
divided his camp down the middle with some reading mischief into the
move, saying it was a plot to push him out of politics so that his
competitors can inherit his traditional constituency.
If he accepts the position of roving ambassador, Mr Odinga, who
considers himself a Pan-Africanist, would join the Panel of African
Eminent Persons which includes former Presidents Joachim Chissano of
Mozambique and Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania.
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