Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga left for the United Kingdom (UK) and the US for a five-day tour.
He departed days after a similar visit by Deputy President William Ruto who returned home last week after a 10-day visit to both US and UK.
Raila’s visit comes a week after being endorsement presidential candidate for the Azimio La Umoja coalition that brings together more than 30 political parties.
His office released an itinerary showing that he will start with a meeting with the UK Minister of Armed Forces James Heappey tomorrow at the Ministry of Defence headquarters.
He will also hold talks with UK Prime Minister’s trade envoy to Kenya Theo Clarke at Westminster on the same day.
On Wednesday, Raila will meet with Lord Tarif Ahmad, the UK Minister for South Asia, North Africa, the United Nations and the Commonwealth – Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
He is also invited to the Chatham House for a Thinktank talk later that afternoon.
On Thursday, the ODM leader will meet Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Justin Welby.
He will then conclude his tour with an address to Kenyans living in the UK at the Holiday Inn, Kensington.
Raila is expected to also give a lecture at the revered Chatham House during the trip.
Chatham House is a respected world policy institute facilitating governments and societies to build a sustainable, secure, prosperous and just world.
Ruto, who also toured the US and UK last week, gave an address on Kenya’s 2022 election, using the opportunity to tear into the ‘handshake’ between President Uhuru Kenyatta and the ODM leader.
Ruto has effectively used his twin visit to share the foreign policy direction his administration would take in the event he wins in the August polls.
He said his administration would be more creative and robust in engaging the world beyond Kenya’s borders, with a premium on commercial and economic diplomacy to accelerate the country’s growth in real terms and share prosperity within our geopolitical neighbourhood and beyond.
The DP reassured the US and the UK that programmes such as Kenya’s respective bilateral strategic partnerships with them would be guaranteed continuity.
Trips to international destinations such as USA and the UK show the importance and impact of the international community when it comes to democracy.
Civil society is indicating that this year’s elections will go beyond providing funds for election and rather focus more on the technical support to validate the electoral process.