Raila Clarifies Azimio Leaders Accompanying Ruto During US Visit
Raila acknowledged and appreciated the concerns by members of the party over the presence of their leaders in the delegation
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga on Wednesday, May 22 defended a section of its leaders who joined President William Ruto's delegation to the United States (US) for a state visit.
In a statement, Raila acknowledged and appreciated the concerns by members of the party over the presence of their leaders in the delegation, who included the Minority leader in the National Assembly, Opiyo Wandayi, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and her Machakos counterpart Wavinya Ndeti.
However, he clarified that all Azimio leaders accompanying the President were invited by the US government and had his and the coalition's permission to join the President on the mission.
President William Ruto with his Kenyan delegation attending a meeting with members of the Congress in Washington DC in the US on May 22, 2024. /PCS
This, he termed, was in line with established democratic traditions and the wider interest of the Kenyan nation, that Azimio stands for.
"The bipartisan delegation is in line with similar delegations to Kenya by top US leaders, including the visit to Kenya by then US president Barack Obama, which had Republican and Democratic congressional leaders. In the intervening years, more bipartisan delegations from the US have visited Kenya," the statement read in part.
However, the former Prime Minister urged the delegation to use this opportunity to help the US focus on issues that matter to the greater majority of the people of Kenya.
They include increased trade and investment, better healthcare opportunities locally, fighting corruption, creation of jobs and access to information technology by the youth.
President Ruto is currently in the US on a 4-day tour which aims to strengthen bilateral relations between Kenya and America.
On May 22, the Kenyan Head of State arrived in Washington DC accompanied by First Lady Rachel Ruto for the second phase of the tour where he met US President Joe Biden.
President William Ruto hosted by US President Joe Biden for a technology roundtable meeting at the White House on May 22, 2024. /PCS
Raila, Sifuna Travel To UK
Meanwhile, Raila left the country as of Thursday, May 23 to the United Kingdom (UK) where he will give a keynote speech at the University of Oxford during the Oxford Africa Conference 2024.
“At the annual event, Mr Odinga will deliver a lecture titled: Forging Africa's Future: A Journey of Resilience and Renewal,” a statement by his spokesperson, Dennis Onyango read in part.
He further added that the former Prime Minister will address political stability, economic growth, equity, and social cohesion while highlighting stories of resilience and examples of renewal from across Africa.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who also accompanied the opposition leader, said that he was honoured to be invited as one of the panellists in the conference, which is dubbed 'Navigating Democracy Dynamics in Contemporary Africa: Addressing Challenges and Embracing Opportunities'.
The conference will kick off on Friday, May 24, at Rhodes House in the University of Oxford, UK.
