I'm recovering from illness: Raila breaks silence on absence from protests

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga, who has caused anxiety after pulling a no-show during the ongoing anti-government protests, now says he is recovering from a flu.

Odinga, who did not disclose his current whereabouts, says he was slightly ill, thereby putting the question to rest on why he has been missing in action since the three-day demonstrations kicked off on Wednesday.

“Niko na homa mbaya sana ambayo ilinipiga na ikanilaza chini. Nimepata matibabu kutoka kwa daktari na sasa ninazidi kupata afueni na nitakuwa sawa,” Odinga told NTV.

The Azimio leader refuted concerns that some coalition leaders were hiding, saying his team is focused and leading the demonstrations from different parts of the country.

On why his co-principals including Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua and Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka have not been leading the demos as they have always done, Odinga underscored that the protests were for all Kenyans and that it was not mandatory for them to be present.

“Niko katika maandamano na tunashirikiana pamoja na wenzangu lakini maandamano si ya Baba, Martha au Kalonzo; ni ya Wakenya wote,” he stated.

“Team yote ya Azimio iko sawa na wanaongoza maandamano kutoka maeneo tofauti tofauti. Si lazima waonekane wote kwa barabara.”

Odinga at the same time slammed President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza team accusing them of prejudice in their utterances and constant calls for peace as he vowed to continue with the protests.

According to Odinga, the President has not personally called him to discuss the way forward and he (Odinga) has not demanded a ‘handshake’ as Kenya Kwanza leaders have continuously alleged.

“Rais hajanipigia simu na hatujaongea naye. Sisi hatujauliza na hatutauliza mambo ya handshake, hiyo ni porojo yao…hatutaki nusu mkate yao ambayo imeoza,” Odinga said.

“Ruto ni mnafiki…leo anasema hili, kesho anasema lingine. Leo ilikuwa nusu fainali, kesho ndio fainali.”

The Azimio chief’s absence in the limelight has caused a buzz across social media platforms with Kenyans asking for Odinga to come out from the shadows, with the hashtag #WhereiIRaila cropping up on Twitter.