Raila hits out at Kibaki for ‘opposing’ him - He accused the Head of State of contradicting him in major government decisions
April 6th, 2009
Prime Minister Raila Odinga at a public rally in Makadara, Nairobi on Sunday. PHOTO/WILLIAM OERI
Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Sunday for the first time since the coalition government was formed, launched a major direct attack on President Kibaki. He accused the Head of State of contradicting him in major government decisions, among other things.
The PM made the remarks during a public rally at Nairobi’s Makongeni grounds, a day after the collapse of crucial talks on management of the year-old coalition. In what appeared to be souring of the relations, Mr Odinga said it was wrong for the President to always give different opinions from his on matters of national importance.
A hard-talking Mr Odinga gave the example of his stand on judicial reforms when he had called for the removal of Chief Justice Evan Gicheru. But President Kibaki has since expressed confidence in the CJ.
Contradicts me
“As the Prime Minister speaks and the other one (President Kibaki) contradicts me... There should be respect from both sides,” the PM said. The PM said ODM was in the coalition on its own right after it “won” the 2007 elections but was rigged out.
“Even a toddler and insane people know the results of the last elections.”
The ODM leader said his party agreed to join the coalition since most of its followers were being killed and for the sake of peace and stability. Mr Odinga, who in the recent past had avoided attacking his main coalition partner and insisted all was well between them, seemed disturbed by the collapse of the Kilaguni talks.
He was accompanied by assistant minister Elizabeth Ongoro, nominated MP Musa Sirma and former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo.
source.nation.ke