Why Raila Odinga Skipped Azimio Press Briefing

ODM leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday, July 18 skipped the Azimio la Umoja press briefing at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation raising eyebrows among supporters about his whereabouts.

Narc Kenya Party Leader Martha Karua, who led other Azimio leaders in the press briefing, explained that the former Prime Minister was engaged in other critical issues elsewhere.

Karua said that the Azimio leaders will brief Odinga later on about the progress of the press conference.

“Apologies that our leader, the people’s president is not with us, he is in other critical engagements. We spoke to him and we are going to report the progress so far,” said Karua.

During the briefing, Karua accused the Kenya Kwanza government of getting into a public-private partnership with a militia to cripple Azimio protests.

“The government has entered into a public-private partnership with a militia to cripple freedom of assembly and protests, ” she claimed.

Karua, however, said the anti-government protests scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday will go on as planned earlier despite the security withdrawal of Azimio leaders.

“The withdrawal of security and the campaign of intimidation notwithstanding, Azimio confirms that the protests planned for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday next week are on as earlier announced,” Karua added.

She further requested neighboring countries not to support the Kenya Kwanza government by supplying ammunition and teargas.

“We appeal to our neighbours in the region not to join Ruto’s war against Kenyans. Our neighbours must not supply Ruto with teargas and ammunition to fight Kenyans,” said Karua.