Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has defended the inclusion of some of Azimio leaders in President William Ruto's delegation to the United States of America during his state visit.
In a statement by Azimio on Wednesday, May 22, the opposition party leader disclosed that the leaders who accompanied the president were invited by the US government.
The Azimio boss further intimated that the leaders had his permission, adding that the bipartisan delegation was in line with similar prior US delegations to Kenya which had opposition leaders.
"Mr Odinga wishes to clarify that all Azimio leaders accompanying the presidentwere invited by the US government and have his and the coalition's permission to join the president on this mission in line with the established democratic traditions and wider interest of the Kenyan nation that Azimio stands for.
"The bipartisan delegation is line with similar delegations to Kenya by US top leaders including the visit to Kenya by the US president Barack Obama, which had Republican and congressional leaders. In the intervening years, more bipartisan delegations from the US have visited Kenya," read part of the statement by Azimio.
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The former Prime Minister further implored the delegation to use the opportunity to help the US government focus on matters touching Kenya at large.
"Mr Odinga urges the delegation to use this opportunity to help the US focus on the issues that matter to the greater majority of the people of Kenya, including increased trade and investment, better healthcare opportunities locally, fighting corruption, creation of jobs and access to information technology by the youth," Azimio stated.
Some of the notable Azimio leaders who joined Ruto's delegation to the US were National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and her Machakos counterpart Wavinya Ndeti.
