Azimio One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga has been invited to be part of the inaugural United States Africa leaders’ summit in his position as AU high representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa.
The meeting will take place in Washington DC between December 13 and 15 being the reason as to why he cancelled the parallel Jamhuri Day fete.
“The party leader received an invitation on Wednesday night to attend the summit as a member of the AU as a special envoy for infrastructure. So he has to attend to that,” a member of the coalition said.
The summit seeks to reinforce the US-Africa commitment to democracy and human rights as well as fostering new economic engagements between the two parties.
“The meeting had not been confirmed when we were making our arrangements and even by the time the Kamukunji rally was happening,” he added.
The opposition party at a press conference yesterday in Nairobi said it had called off its parallel fete.
“We wish to announce that Azimio One Kenya coalition party will not hold a parallel Jamhuri Day celebrations on December 12, 2022 as earlier planned.
The coalition had planned a rally at Jacaranda grounds in Embakasi East Constituency to run parallel the main national celebrations led by President William Ruto at Nyayo National Stadium.
However, in a statement read by minority leader Opiyo Wandayi, the coalition said it will continue with its rallies across the country afterwards.
“As Azimio, we promise that we shall continue to stand together until the Ruto government returns what really matters to the people,” he stated.
