africanpress.in

Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s visit to the United States was marred when he failed to give a lecture on investment opportunities in Kenya. Mr Odinga was to deliver the lecture at the University of Chicago to defend Kenya's economic prospects in light of the global economic crisis.

The Kenyan embassy in Washington said the lecture was, however, not in the official programme. A Kenyan student at the university said they had been informed that the PM was “jet-lagged” and there had been miscommunication between the US Kenyan embassy and his office.

Commitment

“It appears he may not have been aware of this commitment,’’ said the student, who did not want to be identified by name. The PM was listed to meet Mr Pat Ryan, chief executive officer of the Chicago 2016 Bid, deliver a speech at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and meet investment bankers, and leaders of private equity and venture capital.

“This is despite the African Student Network (ASN) having received confirmation from the US Kenyan embassy that he would be attending and giving a talk,’’ the student added. Kenya’s ambassador to the US, Mr Rateng’ Ogego, said the PM could not make it for the lecture on time due to flight delays.

‘‘The flight was delayed by more than one hour and this made it impossible to make it to the university,’’ said Mr Ogego, who had travelled from Washington to Chicago. Mr Ogego said the event was organised by Kenyans in Chicago and was not part of the official programme. Mr Odinga later met the Kenyans and the organisers and had dinner with them, he added.

Running late

A Kenyan student at the university said several students, professors and other guests had gathered waiting for the Prime Minister. “The audience was initially told that the PM was running late. Shortly after, they were informed that the Prime Minister had cancelled his talk. No reasons were provided,” the student said.

“Of course, everyone left the event feeling disappointed. In particular, it was an embarrassment for the network, which had tirelessly made arrangements for the Prime Minister’s visit to the Booth Business School,” he said.

source.nation.ke

Raila fails to give lecture - it was an embarrassment for the network, which had tirelessly made arrangements