• Diplomacy scholars and politicians said the duo's US trip was a significant endorsement of the handshake and the Building Bridges Initiative.
• They are expected to explain to the Americans why Kenya might need a referendum and why it should be done before 2022.
Image: JOHN CHESOLI
ODM leader Raila Odinga appears to be reaping big from his handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta, with major international recognition that could give him a boost in 2022.
Raila, who flew to the US on Sunday evening, was to be joined by his 'brother' Uhuru to market the handshake.
The two have been invited to the 68th US National Prayer Breakfast by the Congress.
The prayer breakfast, which will bring together more than 2,000 international guests, will be attended by political and business leaders, the US Congress and members of the diplomatic corps.
"His Excellency President Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila have been invited to speak at the international luncheon that will precede the prayer breakfast," State House announced on Monday.
Ahead of the prayer breakfast, Raila was scheduled for a roundtable meeting with African ambassadors in Washington DC today in his capacity as AU Special Envoy for Infrastructure.
Raila was also to attend the African Senate Dinner hosted for Heads of State from Africa and Africa delegation by the Prayer Breakfast team.
On Monday, diplomacy scholars and politicians said the duo's US trip was a significant approval of the handshake and the Building Bridges Initiative.
“There is a feeling that the international community regards Uhuru and Raila as equals. The trip is a big endorsement by Washington that in Kenya there are only two leaders who matter,” Macharia Munene told the Star.
Munene is a professor of diplomacy at the United States International University.
He said Western powers feel that their interests are safeguarded in Kenya when Uhuru and Raila are working together.
“They are going to get a lot of encouragement from foreign powers to continue working together so that the country can be safe,” he said.
However, according to Munene, the trip would deal Deputy President William Ruto a big blow even as he is being increasingly isolated in government.
“Ruto appears an outsider in a government where he is actually number two. The government in Washington is trying to say that he doesn't matter in any way in the country,” he said.
The DP and his allies have been critical of the handshake and the BBI claiming it is a scheme by Raila to sabotage the Jubilee succession matrix.
The breakfast meeting will be held on February 5 and 6.
Since the handshake, Uhuru and Raila have been seen as an epitome of good democracy for uniting Kenyans not just in the continent but globally as well.
On Monday, National Assembly Public Accounts Committee chairman Opiyo Wandayi told the Star that the trip is a huge diplomatic boost for Uhuru and Raila.
The Ugunja MP termed the trip as a momentous event and a new phenomenon for the country.
“This is an endorsement of the handshake and the BBI process by the international community. Kenya has pulled a fast one that should be enumerated by all,” he said.
Political analyst Herman Manyora said the US trip would most likely boost Uhuru and Raila's camaraderie in the coming days as they push for the BBI process.
“This trip shows that Uhuru and Raila are serious, committed and determined on the BBI process,” the University of Nairobi lecturer said.
ODM national treasurer Timothy Bosire said the trip is confirmation that the handshake and the BBI have a strong international appeal.
“The progress of the BBI process is a big concern for international partners. There is both local and internal goodwill for the BBI. It has enabled a stable climate for business,” the ex-Kitutu Masaba MP said.
Uhuru and Raila are expected to explain to the Americans why Kenya might need a referendum and why it should be done before the 2022 general elections.
There are also reports that they will lobby for resources to support the country's expected referendum.
The duo could be seeking to lobby for international appeal as the country enters a critical stage of an anticipated constitutional overhaul to address electoral electoral injustice and unite Kenyans.
While the BBI wave sweeps the country, the push for far-reaching constitutional changes is gaining currency with experts and politicians maintaining a referendum is inevitable.
Rallies to popularise the BBI proposals have seen regional consultative forums front suggestions for constitutional amendments that seek to alter the governance architecture.
The National Treasury has previously announced radical budget cuts on non-essentials across government in what has indicated tough times for the country's economy.
The 2010 referendum that saw the country embrace the two-tier system of government cost the country Sh7.2 billion, an expensive exercise that was partly funded by development partners.
Edited by R.Wamochie