This archive report was first published on 13 July 2020.
On his return from Dubai, where he underwent a minor surgery, Raila Odinga is expected to face a multitude of challenges and expectations.
Amid simmering tensions between some of his key lieutenants and those of his 'handshake' partner Uhuru Kenyatta, Mr Odinga is expected to put out fires ignited by the scramble for National Assembly committee posts.
Some ODM MPs have downplayed any differences, but others have taken issue with sentiments associated with Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe that the president was simply doing ODM 'a favour' by sharing the spoils from the purge on allies of Deputy President William Ruto.
Contested positions include the chairmanship of the justice and legal affairs, and budget committees, which ODM claims had been agreed upon.
Mr Odinga will also face intense pressure from activists and families of victims of 2017 post-election chaos, as well as persons displaced during 2007 political turmoil who now see possible delays in addressing their plight through the nine-point-agenda 'handshake'.
Activists and families of victims, including Kisumu City Residents Voice chairman Audi Ogada and Nyanza Regional IDPs chairman Nelson Owegi, have expressed concern over the delays in compensation to affected families.
Mr Ogada cited the example of the family of Baby Pendo, who succumbed to injuries inflicted by police in 2017, which is still awaiting payment even after several officers were found culpable for her death.
“The handshake can achieve its objectives if those who faced injustices, victims of post-election violence, are compensated and what we are seeing are delays that must now be addressed,” Mr Ogada said.
Mr Owegi lamented that despite giving their proposal to the BBI team, their views were not reflected in the first draft.
“Just a handful of IDPs have been compensated yet in other regions, their plight had been addressed and some even given land. We expect similar treatment,” he said.
However, ODM National Treasurer Timothy Bosire downplayed the issue, stating that addressing historical injustices was a gradual process and that there was no need to bombard their party leader with demands at the moment.
Mr Odinga is also expected to join President Kenyatta in unveiling the final Building Bridges Initiative report, which has been delayed since his departure from the country.
Upon receiving and making the report public, Mr Odinga together with President Kenyatta are supposed to give clear guidelines on its execution to their troops in Parliament, especially on areas that will require legislation.
