Raila hosts Kikuyu elders at his Karen residence

ODM leader Raila Odinga on Friday hosted some Kikuyu elders at his Karen home in Nairobi.

The elders, who are members of Kikuyu Council of Elders, were led by their chairman Wachira Kiago.

The meeting was also attended by top politicians from the Mt Kenya region allied to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

They include former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth and Ndaragua MP Jeremiah Kioni.

“I enjoyed a thoughtful discussion at my home over a meal with members of the Kikuyu Council of Elders,” Raila posted on his social handles.

Raila's elder brother Oburu Odinga, Homa Bay senator Moses Kajwang', Seme MP James Nyikal and Migori Woman Rep Pamela Odhiambo were also present.

The Star could not immediately establish what transpired in the meeting.

However, Raila hinted in his post that they discussed political matters aimed at ‘moving our Country forward not on the patchy path of tribal lines that have and continue to occasion annihilation.’

“We've been sold fear for decades; it’s time that as a people and a nation we embraced love and peace. This is the journey we are embarking on, are you willing to join us as we sit down and talk candidly?” the post reads.

Since his handshake with Uhuru in March 2018, Raila has been making attempts to make inroads in Mt Kenya that has opposed his presidential candidature for decades.

In October last year, Raila hosted hundreds of Kikuyu elders at his Bondo home in Siaya.

After the Bondo meeting, the Luo elders and select political leaders were to be hosted for the second part of the meeting in Nyeri. This is yet to happen.

The Luos and the Kikuyus have been the strongest antagonists in most post-Independence elections.

However, the two communities worked together at two critical historical moments—at Independence when Jomo Kenyatta became the first president—and in 2002 when Kenyans ended Kanu’s 24-year rule through the election of Mwai Kibaki.

-Edited by SKanyara