On the morning of Thursday, May 28, 2020, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga published a post targeting one of Kenya's popular dailies, The Star.
The piece blasted how the publication misrepresented his statements during an interview with Kameme FM and Milele FM, claiming that he had called on members of his community to take up cremation as an internment method.
He also criticised The Star over another story which claimed that he had been appointed to head Kenya’s post-Covid-19 economic recovery team.
“I ask Kenyans to treat the report in The Star as a continuation of the sensational misreporting that characterised the paper lately,” Odinga wrote.
Hours later, he posted photos of himself with Patrick Quarcoo, CEO of Radio Africa which owns The Star.
One would expect that after Odinga’s description of what had become of the newspaper lately, the meeting would have been very tense.
On the contrary, Raila’s spokesperson Dennis Onyango told Kenyans.co.ke that the meeting was not about the false report.
He intimated that Quarcoo had paid a courtesy call to Odinga as a friend and “Its not the first time he is doing it.”
Photos shared by the former PM showed the two in a jovial mood, the Radio Africa CEO having gifted Odinga an African checkered shuka which he wrapped himself in.
“Was glad to receive this beautiful shuka from my friend Mr. Patrick Quarcoo who paid me a visit this morning,” the ODM party leader captioned the photos on social media.
A quick dig into their friendship revealed the close relationship they shared and that Odinga condoled with Quarcoo during the internment of his wife Gifty.
"Gifty was a very special person. Rooted beyond belief gentle and soli as a rock Always unfazed quiet but deeply insightful she brought stability and sense of purpose to all she met,” he grieved his wife.
