Raila refuses Uhuru tea talk

Coalition for Reforms and Democracy leader, Raila Odinga on Thursday turned down suggestions by Uhuru Kenyatta that if they needed to talk, he could go to State House "for a cup of tea". He termed it an insult and instead insisted on a national dialogue that would involve all Kenyans.

Uhuru Kenyatta had earlier admitted to the need for a national dialogue but after meeting members of his coalition, suggested that such dialogue could be held through established structures such as Parliament and other constitutional offices.

Raila also called for the withdrawal of Kenyan forces from Somalia.

Addressing members of the Somali community in Eastleigh, Nairobi, Raila pointed out that the continued stay of the Kenya Defence Forces soldiers in Somalia was not beneficial to Kenyans.

“It is high time the Government evaluated whether there is any reason to still have our soldiers in Somalia. Does their continued stay in Somali bring peace to our country?” posed the CORD leader.

“We went there because there were many attacks then by the thugs,” he said referring to the incursion of the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) into Somalia in 2011 at the height of terror attacks in Kenya.

President Kenyatta has however insisted that he would not withdraw Kenyan forces until there is complete peace in Somalia.

The Kenyan forces are now fighting under the AMISOM banner and have boasted of major success in neutralising the Al Shabaab militia acknowledging their superior artillery and training.

Raila challenged the Government to enhance security in the country instead of launching ad-hoc operations that targeted a single community.

“The kind of operation we saw here was discriminatory; this should not happen,” he stated.

Raila has also demanded refunds of the controversial Anglo-leasing billions already paid to companies.

Raila was accompanied by Suna Member of Parliament Mohammed Junet and Homabay senator Gladys Wanga who equally said the Jubilee administration had failed in its duties.

Meanwhile, traders in Eastleigh, Nairobi called for Raila's intervention in the continued closure of their businesses by the government. They said the Somali traders were accused of being involved with the Alshabaab after which their business premises were shut and members from particular communities brought in to occupy their markets.