Raila Reveals Intrigues In Ruto-Museveni High-Stakes Meeting

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has opened up on his recent meeting with President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni, which took place on Monday, February 26.

Speaking on Wednesday, February 28 during the Homa Bay County International Investment Conference, Raila revealed that he decided to approach Museveni in advance stating that campaigns for the African Union Commission chairperson post were his key agenda when he met presidents in Namibia.

However, he noted that President Ruto had also scheduled a meeting with Museveni in Uganda on the same day, with the focus being the oil importation saga between the two nations.

“I have been running around trying to get support from different heads of state I was with some in Namibia the other day and I went to the President of Uganda after I had talked to him to go and ask for his support and then we met there with Mr. Ruto who had also gone there to talk about the issues they are having with oil the g-to-g. He was with his minister for energy,” said Raila.

Raila added that he seized the opportunity of being alongside the two presidents to lobby his candidature for the highly coveted post. In particular, Raila mentioned that President Museveni offered to propose him for the AU top job.

“After we talked about my candidature, they talked about the issue of oil among themselves but I asked for their support and both of them agreed that they would support me.

"President Museveni said he will be the one to propose me as the chair of the African Union Commission,” Raila added.

At the same time, Raila dismissed fears that getting the AU chairperson post would mean he permanently stayed away from the Azimio la Umoja coalition amidst succession talk within the coalition, that is, who would be best suited to replace Raila as the party leader.

He also argued that the Azimio coalition was unshakable, denouncing fears that Ruto would be trapping him with the support to get the AU job

“I am not going away Addis Ababa is only two hours away from Nairobi, I am available and whenever I am called, I will answer. I am ready to work with you people but what is important is that we must ensure what we set out to do is eventually achieved and accomplished,” said Raila.

“Some of you may be forgetting we said we are unbwogable (not scared) and unpangwable (cannot be forced into a plan)… therefore have no fear at all we will get there,” Raila added.

Raila made the remarks after reports claimed that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) boss was the one who orchestrated the Monday meeting.

Various reports suggested that the ODM boss sought to have Ruto and Museveni reach a truce over the contentious fuel importation deal given that it would have impacted on his candidature.

Meanwhile, President Ruto who was in Homa Bay 24 hours ago said his decision to back the Azimio chief was aimed at unifying the nation.