ODM Party leader Raila Odinga faced a rather unwelcoming reception on Friday, February, 28, during a meeting to plan the Meru BBI rally.
The plan to give Raila a hard time was reportedly planned by the opponents who intended to ensure that he didn't participate in the Mt.Kenya leaders' closed-door meeting at the Kenya Methodist University.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, a correspondent reported that some of the leaders who were opposed to Odinga’s attendance were area Senator Mithika Linturi and Chuka-Igambe Ngombe MP Patrick Munene.
The parliamentarians stated that they were opposing Raila’s entry into the meeting and that he was only needed in the main rally on Saturday, February 29, 2020.
“The MPs indicated that they were addressing in-house matters and Odinga was not one of them and therefore, he was an outsider,” remarked the source.
Despite arriving at the venue at around 2.30 p.m., Raila remained outside the venue as deliberations went on of whether to allow him or not.
Governor Kiraitu Murungi and Nyeri Senator Ephraim Maina who are ardent supporters of the BBI report ostensibly rushed to where Raila was and led him into the meeting, sparking a commotion.
Chuka Igamba Ng’ombe MP and other parliamentarians lamented vowed to keep Raila from speaking at the forum that would later take place at the institution.
According to K24 Digital, one of Raila’s aides indicated that the anti-Raila group was chasing the wind as the former prime minister’s political muscle was too strong to be countered.
“If Raila was sworn in as the people’s president [in January 2018], who are they to stop him?” posed the aide as quoted by K24 Digital.
Senator Linturi, who was first to speak, told Odinga that some residents were sceptical about him.
Linturi also questioned the former PM's intentions about the report that was presented to President Uhuru Kenyatta on November 27, 2019.
“Meru people have so many questions for you [Raila] that are unanswered. One of the many questions is the key one that other Kenyans have. Will you accept defeat should you be floored in the next presidential election?
“We have no problem with the BBI agenda; we will ensure that all the recommendations are passed,” remarked Linturi as quoted by K24 Digital.
However, Raila eventually managed to speak at the forum attracting support from pro-BBI report leaders in the region.
Some of the governors present included James Nyoro (Kiambu), Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri) and Nyandarua’s Francis Kimemia.
