Majority leader in the National Assembly Aden Duale has disclosed why National Super Alliance (NASA) flag bearer Raila Odinga was snubbed on Thursday during the 54th Madaraka Day celebrations.
Weighing in on the matter which sparked varied reactions across the country, Duale stated that the Celebrations was a national event that did not warrant the address of the Opposition leader.
He added that the ceremony was supposed to be presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta and was not a guarantee that Odinga or any other leader would address the nation.
“Madaraka Day was not a rally, wedding or funeral. It was a national day which is presided over by the President,” he asserted.
The Garissa Township MP dismissed those claiming that ignoring the ODM leader was a sign of exclusivity adding that there were other leaders including himself who did not make an address.
“The inclusivity of the people of Kenya is the 45 million citizens and not about an individual. I was personally present and I did not speak,” he maintained.
Kenyans on Thursday attacked President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto after they snubbed the NASA presidential candidate during celebrations in Nyeri.
However, on his part, the Opposition chief refused to blame Kenyatta and Ruto for ignoring him stating that he had attended the event to mark the 54th anniversary of Kenya’s attainment of internal self-rule from the British colonial government at the invitation of the government.
The former Prime Minister explained that he had done his role by attending the national event at Kabiru-ini Stadium in Nyeri and left the rest to the organisers.
