This archive report was first published on 15 August 2019.
Published on August 15, 2019, Raila Odinga's private offices at Capitol Hill have become a hotbed of activity, with Cabinet Secretaries, Governors, and Members of Parliament trooping in for meetings.
On Wednesday, Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja led a delegation of county officials to Capitol Hill, where they held a five-hour closed-door meeting with Raila Odinga. The governor has been facing challenges in running the county due to friction between him and his executive, as well as the county assembly.
According to sources, the governor's problems started when he refused to grant MCAs their wish for Sh 830 million in the county's budget for their wards. In response, the MCAs vowed to punish the governor by not passing the budget.
Raila Odinga, who met with Governor Samboja, appealed to the aggrieved parties to reach a consensus. He warned that if no solution is reached, the county government may be dissolved, and fresh elections held.
Earlier in the day, Elgeiyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos paid a courtesy call to the AU High Representative for Infrastructure. Governor Tolgos has defected from Tanga Tanga and has been leaning towards Raila Odinga and Baring Senator Gideon Moi.
On Thursday, Raila Odinga hosted Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana to discuss food security. However, it was a visit from officials of the Strategic Food Reserve Trustee Fund that raised eyebrows. The group briefed Raila on the food situation in the country, with a particular reference to maize.
Questions are emerging as to what influence Raila Odinga has in government that state officials are trooping to his office in search of solutions. Observers say Raila is covertly assembling 2022 machinery and targeting areas perceived to be unfriendly to his bid, especially in the Rift Valley and Central Kenya.
