COMMENT: ODM simply needs to share Raila itinerary

Let me begin by condemning in strongest terms the incident that happened in Githurai during ODM leader Raila Odinga's engagements with wananchi on Wednesday.

Such occurrences must not be part of the country’s politics at this age and time, more so as the country hurtles towards the 2022 General Election. It shouldn’t be so, especially with the peaceable environment the handshake has created during its existence.

We have made tremendous strides as a nation with the tranquillity created by the ODM leader and his brother, President Uhuru Kenyatta.

I am seized of the concerns by our partners in the political process that the absence of key leaders from Mt Kenya may have sent a signal that we are snubbing Raila, yet we are handshake partners. However, nothing can be further from the truth.

There are no leaders who have been missing. What has been happening is that the organisers of the tours and public engagements are the ones who have Raila’s itinerary.

Many of us would attend the events, if we know of the itinerary. I don’t think it is actually in a negative way because when ODM is organising Raila’s meetings in Nairobi, which is part of their territory, maybe they do not find it necessary to invite other people.

It is not in any way that there is mischief or that people were called to the Githurai meeting or anywhere in the country and refused to show up. I can tell you I was in Kibra campaigning for the ODM candidate in the November 2019 by-election.

There are quite a number of us who can go to these meetings. When invited or when we know of the itinerary, we will definitely attend the meetings.

I would thus want to urge our supporters not to pick a single incident and push a weighty judgement against us. We are genuine handshake partners. The work we do together in Parliament is more delicate than any other.

I can assure all and sundry that there is no mischief at all in the handshake –  inside and outside Parliament.

We are heading to Sagana this weekend for a meeting chaired by our party leader, President Kenyatta. We have planned activities where we will come out clear about our stand on the handshake and so many other things.

The Igembe North MP and National Assembly Deputy Majority Whip spoke to the Star