By KEPHER OTIENO
President Museveni advised Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his deputy Musalia Mudavadi to remain united when he spent time with two at the PM’s homein Opoda village, Bondo on Saturday evening.
Earlier, the Ugandan leader went round the town meeting locals before moving to Raila’s home for a six hour closed-door meeting and dinner.
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Prime Minister Raila Odinga introduces his deputy Musalia Mudavadi to President Yoweri Museveni at the PM’s home. [PHOTO: PMPS]
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The meeting between Museveni and Raila appears to signal that the initially lukewarm relations between the two leaders have warmed up considerably. The two first broke the ice last year when they met in Uganda, and the hosting of Museveni by the PM over the weekend is being interpreted as a sign that the two are keen keen to mend fences.
Only a year ago, they could hardly agree on anything, accusing each other over statements they made on the ownership of Migingo Island, the 2007 election campaigns in Kenya and the post-election violence.
The latter particularly annoyed President Museveni, after gangs in Kibera uprooted sections of the Kenya-Uganda railway line a critical economic lifeline for his country, during the height of the violence.
Forget the past
Sources at the meeting disclosed that both Museveni and Raila resolved to forget the past and work together.
The fight to control the tiny fish-rich Migingo Island worsened relations after Museveni claimed it was Ugandan territory, while Raila insisted it belonged to Kenya.
The dinner meeting and partying at Raila’s homestead appeared to have brokered a new chapter in their political relationship.
Mr Mudavadi flew to Kisumu from a meeting with delegates in Kitui, and travelled to Raila’s home where he joined Cabinet Ministers Anyang’ Nyong’o, James Orengo, Musa Sirma and assistant ministers Magerer Lang’at and Alfred Khangati for dinner with the Ugandan leader.
The PM and his deputy shared happy moments, comparing notes on events on the campaign trail and developments on the political scene.
They took time off with Museveni and were locked in discussions before settling down for dinner.
Raila’s wife Ida welcomed Mudavadi to her home, while the PM was conducting President Museveni through the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Museum in Nyamira Kang’o.
Jovial talk
At his home Raila introduced Museveni to Mudavadi and the two exchanged lively banter in the Luhya language before they walked into the house.
The interaction between the ODM ministers, and the jovial talk between the DPM and the Prime Ministers left a strong impression that the two leaders may be following each other’s campaigns closely.
Museveni said he has a long relationship with Raila in politics and was impressed by the massive following that ODM has been enjoying in the country. He advised the PM and his deputy to remain united.
The media was not allowed to record some of deliberations at the meeting, cabinet ministers present later said the discussions dwelt much on unity.
None of the leaders present was ready to see either a divided East Africa or Kenya, and ODM that remains the most popular political party going by the latest polls, a fact that intrigued
Museveni during his warm reception at the centres his convoy traversed to Bondo.
The Ugandan leader travelled by road from Kisumu to Bondo, addressing a series of crowds that lined up across the road at Kit Mikayi, Ndori, Kombewa, and Bondo town to welcome him.
Not even the darkness scared the Ugandan President as he travelled at night in Nyanza after almost a decade. He last visited the lakeside town to celebrate its Centennial celebrations on December 17, 2001, when former President Daniel arap Moi announced the elevation of the town to a city.
This was in response to proposal by Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa who, along with Museveni, graced the colourful and well-attended ceremony hosted by Raila.
Possible fallout
Moi then gave his blessing to the town, saying the inauguration would be performed in early 2002, with Mkapa as chief guest and in the presence of Museveni, but it never happened as Narc swept Kanu out of power.
While in Bondo, Museveni prevailed upon Raila and Mudavadi, to guard against possible fallout.
The PM and his deputy have both agreed to let delegates pick the party’s presidential flag bearer and to back whoever wins the ticket.
By meeting with Museveni, Raila and Mudavadi appeared to be sending strong signals to their opponents that they intend to stick together.
Also present at Raila’s home were Assistant ministers Elizabeth Ongoro, Simon Ogari and Manson Nyamweya, as well as MPs Fred Outa, and Shakeel Shabbir, and former MPs Mark Too and Kalembe Ndile.
Sources disclosed that Mudavadi re-affirmed his commitment to the wishes and aspirations of the party supporters and even repeated that if he loses in the nominations, he would still support Raila.
The PM, too, confirmed the same to Museveni in the presence of ministers as he guided and counseled them and said he was ready to offer his advice to the two leaders.
Upon arrival, Museveni toured the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s mausoleum where he was shown traditional artifacts and other regalia used by the late doyen of Kenya’s opposition politics.
All this time, he showed no signs of hurry despite advancing darkness.
Both Kenyan and Ugandan security details kept vigil at both at Jaramogi’s and Raila’s homes, and along the roads till after 1.00am when the Ugandan leader left Raila’s home for Kisumu to sleep.
Museveni and Raila promised to forget their initial political differences and affirmed their commitment to solidify the much-hyped East African political federation.
Museveni challenged East Africa’s leaders to promote unity instead of propagating politics of hatred, saying those who claim to have wisdom should use it to unite others.
"Time has come for us Africans to insulate ourselves against possible recurrence of colonisation in future. The only way we can do this is to forge closer ties and integration is the answer," he said.
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