In Brief
– The March 2018 unity deal between President Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga seems to have attracted global attention.
– The two have been invited by the US Congress to give an address at the National Breakfast meeting.
– Raila boarded yesterday en route to the US
President Uhuru Kenyatta and his long-time political rival now turned ally, ODM leader Raila Odinga, have been invited to attend and address the 68th National Breakfast Meeting in the United States. The invitation, according to State House spokesperson Kanze Dena, was extended to the two leaders by the US Congress, with the meeting expected to run from 5th to 6th February 2020.
The address by Kenyatta and Odinga is scheduled for an international luncheon organized just before the Prayer Breakfast. Odinga has left for the US, his flight having taken off on Sunday.
A statement issued by Odinga’s personal assistant Dennis Onyango indicates that the ODM party leader will focus on reconciliation in his address, seeing as he has been instrumental in calming down political and ethnic rivalry in Kenya through his unity deal with President Kenyatta.
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Onyango’s statement mirrored the one issued by State House, Kanze Dena stressing that the high-stake invitation is a demonstration that the world recognizes the two leaders’ resolve to bring to an end the conflicts and division in Kenya and foster peace in their place.
“His Excellency the President and the former PM have been invited to attend the US national prayer breakfast due to their demonstrated commitment to peaceful and constructive resolution of internal conflicts in Africa, particularly the example the Government of Kenya has set in deepening democratic values, rule of law and inclusive pro-poor development-friendly policies,” Kanze Dena said.
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During the visit, President Kenyatta is also expected to hold meetings with US government officials, the US Congress, and leaders in the private sector.
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