This archive report was first published on 21 July 2019.
On March 9, 2018, National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga faced intense scrutiny from his coalition partners over his secret meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta. The meeting, which took place on March 8, 2018, marked the first time the two leaders had met since the handshake.
During a NASA meeting, Raila was questioned about his decision to hold secret talks with the President, reportedly for almost a month. The meeting lasted several hours as Raila attempted to address concerns that he was not to be trusted. His co-principals, Kalonzo, Mudavadi, and Wetang'ula, expressed disappointment that they had not been informed of the meeting.
Raila, however, maintained that the meeting was a 'statement of intent' and that he had requested the President to reinstate the security detail of all NASA principals and MPs. He also emphasized the importance of unity within the coalition, urging his partners to embrace his actions.
Despite Raila's efforts, his co-principals remained unconvinced, accusing him of not being upfront and transparent with them. The incident highlighted the challenges facing the NASA coalition, which has been struggling to find its footing since the handshake.
