Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga arrived in the United States of America on Saturday night to news of cancellation of a luncheon with US President Barack Obama which had earlier been scheduled for later this week.
The news followed a round of confusion over whether he would attend the luncheon, hosted by the White House for selected leaders from sub-Saharan Africa on the sidelines of the 64th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
New York-based Kenyan ambassador to the UN Zachary Muburi-Muita told the Nation on Saturday night that the State Department contacted him on Friday to “disinvite” Mr Odinga from the September 22 luncheon with President Obama in New York for African leaders.
The ambassador last Monday confirmed to the Nation that he had received an invitation letter for the PM to attend the luncheon. A dispatch to the Foreign Affairs ministry from Kenya’s Ambassador to Washington, Mr Peter Ogego, seen by the Nation confirmed the cancellation.
On Saturday, the Mr Muburi-Muita said State Department officials told him that the earlier invitation was sent accidentally; that the luncheon is actually only for African heads of State and not heads of government.
But at the White House Press briefing on Friday, US ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said the following: “The President will also host on the 22nd a lunch for heads of state and government from sub-Saharan Africa.”
Mr Muburi-Muita said the cancellation was disappointing and did not know why the invitation was issued in the first place, only to be rescinded. “This is something we expect from a third world country, not from the United States,” he said. Mr Odinga will participate in the Opening of the 64th Session of the UN General Assembly and General Debate.
The Prime Minister will make his addresses to the General Assembly on the afternoon of Friday as the 12th speaker. While in the US, the PM will address a number of gatherings and bilateral meetings on critical issues in Kenya.
He is also scheduled to hold discussions with various Heads of State and Government. On Saturday, the Nation learnt from other government sources quoting a dispatch from Kenya’s ambassador to the US Peter Ogego, that no arrangements had been made for Mr Odinga and President Obama to meet.
In Nairobi, neither Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula nor his PS Mwangi Thuita returned our calls. President Obama, the son of a Kenyan father, has kept his distance from both President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga as a signal of US displeasure with Kenya’s response to official corruption, ethnic violence and police abuses.
The American leader chose Ghana as his first official destination in Africa, and he did not invite Mr Odinga to a White House meeting when the Prime Minister visited the US in June.
Kenya has been left out of the list of 40-plus countries invited to the luncheon, and will be among nations the US is snubbing because of disputes over their governance or an antagonistic relationship with Washington. They include Eritrea, Guinea, Madagascar, Niger, Sudan and Zimbabwe.
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When will the world understand him?
ReplyDeleteRAO should learn to ignore like the plague the school of thought that being seen with Obama holds poltical water. He should read from the South americans, Castro chaves and the asian leaders,so ignore it all RAO address the UN and forget DC and Obama not worth it the fella obama is a confused fella with a big fight in his hands and cannot even admit the bare facts of RACISMin america . my goodness wuod nyalego wake up!!!
ReplyDeleteFROM http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144024409&cid=4&
ReplyDeleteThey left the country discreetly to meet Africa’s self-styled strongman — Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi.
Armed with traditional flywhisks, walking sticks and spotting greying but well kept beards, the 22 Kenyan tribal elders trooped to the Libyan capital, Tripoli on Gaddafi’s invitation.
Were it not for Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara, who was also in Libya for a Pan-African Parliament event, Kenyans would not have known about the visit.
But just what did the elders discuss with the man whose dream is to lead a United States of Africa?
Why did Gaddafi pick on the elders and who facilitated the trip?
Sources at the meeting confided in The Standard on Sunday that Gaddafi wants to use traditional leaders to drum up support for a United State of Africa.
He is convinced only African elders can help forge a common unity to champion Africa’s socio-economic and political interests.Affirms support
The chairman of the Luo Council of Elders Riaga Ogallo, who was in the delegation, said they made serious resolutions to back Gaddafi’s plans which have been opposed by some African leaders.
"We discussed weighty issues and gave Libyan President Gaddafi the go-ahead to champion the agenda at the next African heads annual summit.
"We strongly vouched and supported the call and assured Gaddafi of our immense support," said Ogallo.
Addressing the elders during a colourful ceremony to mark his 40 years in power, Gaddafi said: "The celebrations will definitely be the turning point for Libya and Africa by extension when they finally embrace the unity call."
Ogallo said Gaddafi accorded them honour befitting special State guests.
"We were booked in five star hotels, and driven round the oil-rich country under heavy police escort with two chase cars in front and behind," he recalled.
He added: "That man is determined to unite Africa and he proved it in the way he treated us. He listened to every detail of what we told him.
Ogallo said the man lives like a real king and most of his many bodyguards are women.
The elders were attached to presidential aides who were very swift to their demands. They also got daily allowances to shop whenever they wanted to.
But Ogallo could not divulge how much they were given, saying that is their secret.
The Standard on Sunday established that the elders were invited through the Libyan Embassy.
Ogallo said the Government was not involved in the arrangement, but that some senior Government officials, whom he was reluctant to name, were briefed. He said the Libyan Embassy sent air tickets and visas directly to them. Efforts to reach the Libyan head of mission to Kenya, Mr Taher Ali, failed.
Each community was given one slot. These included the Njuri Ncheke, Abagusii, Maasai, Kalenjin, Luo, and Kaya elders among others. Former Olkejuado County Council chairman Joseph ole Muyaa led the Maa.
The elders told Gaddafi to ensure they inculcate a culture in Africa where the ruling elite respects the rule of law.
Some of them spoke bluntly of atrocities in Africa, saying they were sparked by dictatorial tendencies of incumbent Heads of State.
They asked Gaddafi to tell his colleagues to respect the decisions of voters.
"We told Gaddafi to use his influence to tell his peers to rise up and denounce tyrannical systems that keep Africa lagging behind the rest," said one elder.Meets Imanyara