PM in Italy for holiday

Prime Minister Raila Odinga flew out Tuesday night for a break in Italy as he recovers from an operation last month to relieve pressure on his brain.

His office said late on Tuesday that the PM who has been busy since the last day of the referendum campaigns will return before the August 27 promulgation of a new constitution.

The premier was advised by doctors to slow his pace of work as he convalesces.

"The prime minister leaves the country later tonight for a brief holiday outside the country for a few days rest. The PM will be in Italy for about a week," Dennis Onyango, the prime minister's spokesman, said in a statement.

Odinga's illness forced him to break off campaigning for the new law, which Kenyans endorsed in a peaceful referendum on August 4.

On Monday, Odinga hosted a lavish cocktail party at his home to celebrate the "yes" vote where he dismissed alliance talks.

He asked the political leadership in the country to stop the debate on 2012 succession to give the nation a chance to anchor the approved constitution.