Govt Dismisses Raila's Claim Of Ruto Blocking Suluhu From Truce Talks
Speaking to the media, Raila claimed that Ruto was the one who invited Suluhu to Kenya to convince the conflicting parties into entering into a truce.
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President William Ruto's government on Wednesday, July 26 denied claims by former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, that Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan had visited Kenya to mediate between the two political figures.
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed clarified that Suluhu's visit to the country was not a State visit as the protocol was not observed regarding official visits by other world leaders to the country.
He explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would have issued an official communication regarding Suluhu's official visit, which was not the case here, and that the Tanzanian Head of State may have been in Kenya just to enjoy a holiday.
State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed addresses the media from State House, Mombasa on July 26, 2023. /TWITTER.HUSSEIN MOHAMED
"Suluhu must have been here on holiday and Kenya is open for anyone to visit. The information circulating that President Ruto did not meet her is because it was not a state visit as the protocol was not followed," Mohamed said.
"Whenever a head of state visits Kenya, there must be a communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but in this case, we never saw any such communication. We know that Kenya is a beautiful country and she may have been here on holiday.”
He was speaking during a press briefing at Mombasa State House ahead of President Ruto's five-day visit to the Coast region.
Turning to Raila in a thinly-veiled attack after the former Premier claimed that President Suluhu was in Kenya to mediate talks between him and Dr Ruto, Mohamed hinted that the Azimio la Umoja leader was probably unaware of government protocol.
Speaking to the media, Raila claimed that Ruto was the one who invited Suluhu to Kenya to convince the conflicting parties into entering into a truce.
However, she was kept waiting for longer than she anticipated by the current administration, forcing her to return to Tanzania.
"Many eminent persons both local and international have tried to mediate between Azimio and Ruto’s side but they have been kept at bay by Kenya Kwanza. Two weeks ago, Mama Samia Suluhu came to Nairobi to try and mediate but she was kept waiting for 2 days and went back," Raila told journalists.
Raila however stated that he was open to a dialogue with all peace envoys seeking to convince the conflicting parties to strike a truce.
The ODM boss assured that he was ready to engage with Kenya Kwanza, but indicated that Ruto's team had lacked goodwill in addressing the issues raised.
Hours later, President Ruto issued a public statement on Twitter to Raila, saying that he was ready to meet him one on one and hold talks at the latter's convenience.
"My friend Raila Odinga, I am off to Tanzania for a human capital meeting to harmonise the expansion of employment opportunities in our continent.
"I will be back tomorrow evening, and as you have always known, am available to meet one on one with you anytime at your convenience," he wrote.
Ruto flew to Tanzania on Tuesday, July 25 in an official capacity and held bilateral talks with Suluhu regarding trade, diplomatic relations and the creation of job opportunities.
