Azimio La Umoja Coalition Party Leader Raila Odinga has accused President William Ruto’s administration of harming diplomatic ties between Kenya and other East African Community (EAC) countries.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Odinga pointed to the absence of EAC leaders at the recent Jamhuri Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, suggesting that the rift was caused by the actions of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Odinga claimed that the current government is jeopardizing relationships with EAC nations through various missteps, including a legal dispute with Uganda and controversial remarks made by Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen about Rwanda.
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Quoting Odinga, he expressed disappointment that no EAC countries were represented by their top leaders at the Jamhuri Day event.
He attributed this absence to the negative impact caused by the Kenya Kwanza administration, stating, “At the centre of the continuing damage of our relationship in EAC is the unbridled greed and corruption as practised by the Kenya Kwanza Ruto government and the arrogance and foul mouth that has come with it.”
Odinga highlighted Uganda’s legal challenge against Kenya’s imposition of fees on petroleum products transiting from the Port of Mombasa.
He argued that Kenya should allow free movement of products as per international treaties, emphasizing that the actions of the Kenya Kwanza government undermine the EAC treaty.
Warning of potential consequences, Odinga stated, “To waylay our land-locked neighbours who have used Kenya as their preferred route for import and export may hurt the neighbours now, but Kenya will pay the price in the long run.”
He also criticized CS Murkomen’s remarks about Rwanda, describing them as “unfortunate and undiplomatic.”
Odinga emphasized the importance of diplomacy and etiquette in international relations, apologizing to the people of Rwanda for the statements made by the Ruto administration.
Expressing concern about Kenya’s global standing, Odinga concluded, “As a party, we are concerned and disturbed by the direction Kenya Kwanza regime is taking on the global stage.
Our country will pay a steep price for this Kenya Kwanza recklessness.”
In a related note, CS Murkomen, during an appearance on Citizen TV’s Monday Report show, argued that Kenya should not be compared to Rwanda in terms of development, highlighting the differences in governance between the two nations.
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Raila Blames Ruto’s Gov’t For Damaging Kenya’s Relationships In East Africa, Raila Blames Ruto’s Gov’t For Damaging Kenya’s Relationships In East Africa