ODM leader Raila Odinga has come to explain why he snubbed Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka after a meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Mombasa.
Raila reportedly snubbed Kalonzo after a meeting that the head of state invited the two leaders together with other OKA co-principals, including Gideon Moi (Kanu), Moses Wetang’ula (Ford-K), and Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), to discuss the Covid-19 situation in the country.
Later, when the leaders were partying ways outside the State House, Raila was seen bidding goodbye to other leaders who attended the meeting but snubbed Kalonzo.
At the time, Kalonzo appeared to be getting ready to greet the Opposition chief but was left watching as Raila walked away.
The move by Raila raised questions among Kenyans, with some speculating that the two leaders might have disagreed on various issues in the meeting with the President, mostly relating to the 2022 succession politics.
In an interview with Kikuyu radio stations, Raila confirmed that he snubbed the Wiper leader but with a reason. Raila claimed that, though he snubbed Kalonzo, the media gave his actions a wrong interpretation.
According to the Former Prime Minister, Kalonzo was to have a private talk with President Uhuru; hence he gave them the space.
Raila further claimed that, on that particular day, he was still going to meet Kalonzo, unlike other leaders.
“I elbow-bumped Uhuru, Musalia and Wetangula. Why? Because myself and Kalonzo were returning to Nairobi as Mudavadi and Wetangula were tarrying in Mombasa,” Raila said as reported by the Star.
“Kalonzo was talking with Uhuru for a while before joining me at the airport to fly back to Nairobi. That is why I did not say goodbye to him there. And people started saying that I bypassed him because of hatred. We had just finished the meeting; there was no indifference. That is why I am saying that the media got it wrong.”
