This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
On July 9, 2020, ODM officials were informed that they would not be able to join Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed on a private jet to visit former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Dubai.
The decision was made to avoid mass travel, according to ODM Chairman John Mbadi.
Many ODM officials had expressed interest in flying to Dubai to visit Raila, but the plan was ultimately shelved.
On July 9, 2020, Joho and Mohammed did travel to Dubai to visit Raila, but the ODM officials were not able to join them.
According to a report by NTV, hiring a private plane for the trip would have cost Ksh1.3 million per hour.
Plans for the next stage of the Building Bridges Initiative were also put on hold until Raila returned to the country.
‘Until Raila returns, the discussions revolving around the BBI cannot start because it is the key principals, the president and Raila who hold the key to reforms,’ Mbadi stated.
Additionally, the reconstitution of the committees in the National Assembly was suspended after ODM rejected Jubilee’s proposed list, arguing that some members of crucial committees were opposed to the BBI.
Ida Odinga, Raila’s wife, revealed that the family had decided to extend Raila’s stay in Dubai by a week to allow him to gain full recovery and avoid visitation that would distract his recovery.
‘We decided that he stays a little longer in Dubai to gain full recovery and avoid visitation that would distract his recovery and this is based on his doctor’s advice,’ Ida said.
