Azimio party leader Raila Odinga met the United Kingdom Ambassador to Kenya Jane Marriott for the first time since the August 2022 General Elections.
On Wednesday, January 11, Odinga disclosed that Marriott hosted him at the British Mission in Nairobi where they held discussions.
This was the first time the former Prime Minister met the British after he accused the West of interfering with the poll that saw President William Ruto declared the winner.
"We discussed the situation in the country, potential areas of collaboration, and agreed to consult on a regular basis to discuss matters of national and mutual interest," he wrote.
On her part, Marriott expressed her gratitude in meeting the Azimio chief referring to him as a champion for democracy. She reaffirmed Britain's commitment to Kenya.
"Pleasure as always to meet a historic leader who has played a vital role in deepening Kenyan democracy.
"We discussed the importance of effective opposition in Kenya and UK's development programmes in the country, Marriott's statement read in part.
Odinga was accompanied by former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, and the Whip of the Minority in the National Assembly Junet Mohamed.
The meeting sparked reactions from Kenyans, who were alive to the relationship between the Azimio party chief and the West.
"Great leadership indeed. Development in progress," one tweep wrote. "I thought you said they interfered with the elections?" Another posed.
A photo of Marriot and outgoing Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chair Wafula Chebukati irked Raila supporters, forcing her to clarify on the matter.
In August 2022, the envoy maintained that the UK did not have any preferences for any presidential candidate or party.
