Time Raila Used Kibaki's Wife to Manipulate Him - Ex-State House Staffer

Former State House comptroller Matere Keriri on Tuesday, October 15, gave details on how Raila Odinga had found a way to use the former First Lady, Lucy Kibaki, to manipulate her husband, Mwai Kibaki.

Speaking during an interview with The Standard, the former Kibaki aide made startling claims regarding the power struggle that ensued after Kibaki historic win during the 2002 election.

"When Kibaki took over power, he was sick and susceptible to manipulation by those who wanted to benefit from his presidency," Keriri narrated.

He claimed that despite Kibaki still in recovery from the injuries he sustained in a road accident just days before the 2002 general election, Raila and his allies were constantly pushing for the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Mwai Kibaki (right) with Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka when he returned from special treatment in London in 2002

Top guns within NARC sharply differed as the debate on the Prime Minister’s post reached new heights.

Sensing the ailing Kibaki would be easily swayed to agreeing with Raila, Keriri confessed to blacklisting Raila and his allies, making it practically impossible for them to reach Kibaki.

It is at this point that Raila allegedly approached Mama Lucy in a bid to have her talk to him on his behalf regarding the sensitive matter.

However, her sudden reappearance, after opting to steer clear during the campaign was viewed suspiciously by Kibaki's allies. 

"Before the campaigns, Lucy was nowhere to be seen. However, she suddenly turned up at a time when some members of the Summit had started waging a war against those opposed to the MoU. It was viewed that Raila's team would use her to advance their agitation, therefore we also blocked her from seeing her husband," the former Statehouse staffer explained.

Former State House Comptroller Matere Keriri blocked Raila Odinga's attempt to see former President Mwai Kibaki after the 2002 elections

This aligned with a statement from David Musila's memoir Seasons of Hope, in which he claims Raila and all known affiliates were turned away at the State House gates.

"Our disappointment was cemented when our delegation was turned away at the gates of State House," read an excerpt in Musila's book.

President Kibaki and Raila Odinga before they signed a grand coalition deal in 2008
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