This archive report was first published on 17 July 2019.
On June 30, 2019, Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), spoke at a thanksgiving service in Elgeyo Marakwet County, where he defended his handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
According to Raila, the decision to work together with the President was not for his individual gains and neither was it about the Luo or Kikuyu communities. He emphasized that his political friendship with the President is for the benefit of all Kenyans.
"My political friendship with the President is not for my personal gain but for all Kenyans. What hurts me is the suffering of my people. Our children were born in this suffering, grew up in it and work in it. Our people are hardworking and they never want to beg. I do not want anything as Raila, I just want Kenyans to benefit. It is not about Raila. It is not about the Luo or Kikuyu community, but for all Kenyans," he said.
During the event, Raila also revived the Aror and Kimwarer scandal, stating that the initial amount of money set for the construction of the multi-purpose dams was Sh5 billion. He claimed that Sh63 billion has been allocated for the project, but Sh21 billion has been lost, with no work done.
Leaders who accompanied Raila, including Minority Whip in the National Assembly Junet Mohammed and Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny, hit out at the Deputy President for neglecting his people, despite being the region's representative in government.
