Following the calling off of the Naivasha-Kisumu Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) extension that was subsequently followed by ODM Leader Raila Odinga’s remarks, Raila has been on the spot for siding with the Jubilee government.
The former presidential candidate earlier in the week appeared alongside Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, blasting reporters for spreading propaganda regarding the SGR extension. This, as the CS, speaking on behalf of the government declared that they have chosen to abandon the Kisumu line in favor of the Naivasha-Malaba line.
Raila Odinga was on the same day heckled by Muhoroni residents who were opposed to their land being engulfed by the project.
He claimed that the media is responsible for spreading the negativity.
“The media has been coming up with all sorts of propaganda, and I don’t why our media is so negative,” Raila said.
Raila Odinga finally speaks about what happened in China, SGR loan pic.twitter.com/pb9GARhhQc
— Nairobi News (@Nairobi_News) May 14, 2019
To soothe the ears of a clearly agitated crowd, CS Macharia said that the Kisumu line will still be constructed, but after the Malaba line.
“The plan for SGR phase II construction are still on. After doing that Malaba wing, we shall now say that we have a profitable line all the way from Malaba to Mombasa, which can also help us fund this leg from Naivasha to Kisumu so that we do not have to struggle,” CS Macharia clarified.
Transport CS James Macharia explains why government abandoned Naivasha-Kisumu railway line in favour of Naivasha-Malaba line pic.twitter.com/zOASNxCH38
— Daily Nation (@dailynation) May 15, 2019
The formerly gallant opposition leader, has now been probed for taking a back seat in keeping the Jubilee government on its toes. A result of the unprecedented national handshake, some have criticised.
