CHARM OFFENSIVE

Raila to meet senior US senators, tech giants in US tour

Trip comes slightly over a month since the ODM boss made a similar tour of the UK

In Summary
  • Raila has been in the forefront in pushing for Africa digitisation to make it competitive globally.

  • On Sunday, the former premier will be having a town hall meeting with the diaspora community in Washington, DC.
ODM leader Raila Odinga.
ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Image: RAILA ODINGA/TWITTER

Azimio presidential hopeful Raila Odinga will hold meetings with senior senators from the Congress and CEOs of major corporations during his week-long visit to the US.

Raila will leave the country on Friday for the visit, his last foreign mission before the August 9 general election.

The ODM leader will spend three days each in Washington and Silicon Valley.

Accompanying Raila for the high profile trip include governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Ndiritu Muriithi (Laikipia) and James Ongwae (Kisii).

Also in the entourage are Azimio spokesperson Makau Mutua, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua and former head of Public Service Sally Kosgey.

Karua's inclusion comes on the backdrop of a spirited campaign by Azimio women leaders who have petitioned Raila to consider the former Justice minister for the position of running mate.

In the US, Raila will have a busy schedule meeting the business community, religious leaders and Kenyans living in America.

He will also meet the US Chamber of Commerce, the world largest business organisation.

The African Union High Representative for Infrastructure and Development will also hold meetings with representative of US State Department for National Security Council.

On Sunday, the former premier will have a town hall meeting with the diaspora community in Washington, DC.

At the meeting, he will share his vision for Kenya with the diaspora. 

“The Prime Minister will be spending three days in Washington and Silicon Valley. He will have a number of meetings with the business community, government officials and think tanks during his stay there,” a source said.

The ODM boss has been in the forefront in pushing for Africa digitisation to make it competitive globally.

The trip comes slightly over a month since Raila made a similar tour of the UK, where he held meetings, explaining his plan and vision for the country.

In the UK, Raila met Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and gave an address at the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House.

The trips underscore the importance of the international community in the State House race.

They also are coming at a time when Kenyans in 12 diaspora countries are expected to vote on August 9.

 

(edited by Amol Awuor)

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