Mysterious or not? President Uhuru Kenyatta held an exclusive meeting with Raila Odinga at the State Lodge in Kisumu on Thursday night with several Governors and MCAs locked out of the meeting.
Prior to the meeting, several governors and elected leaders were asked to excuse themselves before the head of state and Odinga retreated to the meeting whose agenda remains a closely guarded secret.
“You are kindly requested to excuse yourselves as the President wishes to meet elected leaders from Luo Nyanza, excluding the MCAs,” Orengo announced.
This was affirmed by Parliament Minority leader John Mbadi who made it known that the meeting was exclusive and those not invited would have their chance to meet the president later.
“It is just a humble request but he will meet everybody later.” Mbadi added.
DP Ruto, Okoth Obado among those missing at the meeting
Among those who were locked out of the meeting are governors James Ongwae (Kisii), John Nyagarama (Nyamira) and Kitutu hache MP Jimmy Angwenyi who had accompanied the president at various events during his Kisumu tour.
Also missing during the Thursday night meeting were Deputy President William Ruto and Migori governor Okoth Obado who has been warming up to the DP, hosting him in key events.
Agenda of discussion
Sources privy to the details reveal that Orengo did not mince his words in the choice of President Kenyatta’s successor in the meeting that was attended by “purely Luo Nyanza elected leaders”.
“We would be happy if your Excellency considers offering your support for Odinga to continue with your March 9 peace deal of uniting the country and enhancing good governance,” Orengo reportedly told those in attendance.
Compensation of victims during last year’s hotly contested elections featured in the discussion with the area leaders holding that victims from the region were left out when their counterparts from other parts of the country were compensated by the government.
Leaders also expressed hope that the Standard Gauge Railway would be extended from Naivasha through to Kisumu to open up the region for development.