I Have No Intentions of Leaving NASA - Raila Odinga

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga on Saturday addressed the issue of him leaving the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition.

Addressing mourners during the burial of Shinyalu MP Justus Kizito’s mother, Regina Mmbayi at Shinyalu, Raila urged his supporters to trust his decision to call for a truce with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

 “You must play politics using your brains, I am preparing the way for us to take over the government in 2022.

“People should stop calling me a traitor over the handshake, I have no intentions of leaving NASA,” he affirmed.

[caption caption="Raila Odinga"][/caption]

During the same ceremony, former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale accused Raila of betraying the other principals by sidelining them in his handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

"In the NASA agreement, a presidential candidate will come from Wiper, ANC or Ford-K and not ODM, Raila will therefore not be on the ballot,” Khalwale stated.

In response, Raila assured that he had no intention of violating the coalition pact.

He added that his intention was meant to push for development in NASA zones. 

“We want to engage in politics of development, not tribal wars that would lead to ethnic profiling,” he added.

Speaking earlier on Saturday, during the burial of his uncle Oteke Alogo, Raila defended his political handshakes stating that they were a means to ensure Kenya enjoyed meaningful development.

"We've got independent institutions aimed to provide good governance but something is amiss. Something is not working, which is what we want to resolve.

"We are building bridges across; you have seen me recently talking to different Kenyans all over the country in a bid to unite Kenya. I am going to continue to build bridges that will unite the people of Kenya to be one people," he conveyed.

[caption caption="Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga"][/caption]