Raila On First Meeting With King Charles III That Led Him To State House

Former Prime Minister and Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga, on Wednesday, November 8 recounted his first meeting with King Charles III of the United Kingdom (UK) which he linked to his meeting at State House, Nairobi when the King was on a four-day state visit in Kenya.

Speaking during the launch of Mau Mau Freedom Fighters Foundation at Tamarind Hotel in Nairobi, Raila retraced details of his first encounter with King Charles to Norway where he met him alongside the Norwegian Prime Minister.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader wanted to know details of the PM's foundation and alongside His Majesty, had proposed four projects in Kenya before deciding on Lake Naivasha.

Raila Odinga with King Charles III during a State banquet at State House on October 31, 2023. /FILE

“We met first in Oslo with the Prime Minister of Norway and he asked what his foundation could do. There were four projects we proposed Mau conservation, Aberdares, Nairobi River and Lake Naivasha," Raila narrated.

"They opted for Lake Naivasha. Then the King organized a dinner in his residence in London, I went with a delegation from Kenya and he invited companies in UK which market Kenyan flowers and immediately that evening with former minister Sally Kosgei we had a pledge of 600,000 sterling pounds (Ksh109.8 million) from companies."

According to Raila, the amount rose to 1 million sterling pounds (Ksh186.5 million), with the King convincing the Dutch government to fund them 6 million Euros (Ksh915.6 million) for rehabilitation of Lake Naivasha, which turned out to be successful.

Regarding his invitation to State House where President William Ruto hosted a State banquet for the King and Queen Camilla, Raila revealed that he was invited based on the close friendship he shares with the King.

“Actually, I was invited by the King to the dinner at State House because he is a personal friend and we have worked with him in his foundation in the rehabilitating Lake Naivasha which was polluted and marine life was dying in the lake,” he continued.

Raila's appearance at State House on Tuesday, October 31 shook political circles to the very core, given that this was his first visit since President Ruto assumed office on September 13, 2022.

Odinga, who was accompanied by Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, Council of Governors Chairperson Anne Waiguru among other leaders, also met President Ruto. US Ambassador Meg Whitman was also present.

The Azimio leader was also seen interacting with Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala, with CS Mutua at some point captured adjusting the coat of Raila during their casual conversation.

The state banquet dinner prepared to host King Charles III in the country was an elegant affair consisting of refectory tables elegantly set up at the State House, adorned with golden-themed chairs for the dignitaries attending the event.

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi defended the nature of Raila's visit, stating that it was due to his relationship with the monarch, accusing Kenya Kwanza coalition affiliates of having too much sugar rush regarding Raila's appearance at State House.

“State House is not Ruto’s home, it is not a UDA office, State House is the property of Kenyans and belongs to Kenya, it does not belong to an individual, everyone has a right to visit," he said on Citizen TV's Daybreak show.