Raila was at State House as a guest of King Charles, not on Ruto’s invitation – Senator Osotsi

According to Osotsi, Raila was at the State banquet as a guest of King Charles, and not on an invitation by President William Ruto. 

Osotsi called out Kenya Kwanza affiliates, saying they were “unnecessarily excited “about Raila’s visit to State House.

“State House is not Ruto’s home, it is not a UDA office, State House is the property of Kenyans and belongs to Kenya, it does not belong to an individual, everyone has a right to visit," he said on Citizen TV Daybreak show. 

Osotsi opined that Raila was invited to the banquet by Neil Wigan, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Kenya.

“On October 12 ... that is when the ambassador invited Raila officially to meet the king. Raila Odinga was not in State House courtesy of the invitation of William Ruto or any UDA people," said the Vihiga legislator. 

“He was there as a guest of the king, a leader of the opposition and a friend of the royal family."

Earlier, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka downplayed Raila’s presence, saying it was a protocol that should not be an issue.

"Some of us are on a standing list; we would be invited, in the event of an important state guest, like his Majesty, King Charles, and it should not be seen beyond that," Kalonzo said.

Kimani Ichung'wah, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kikuyu Constituency, was also quick to point out that this was a state dinner and leaders get invitations from time to time.

“Just like his excellency was there during the climate change summit for dinner, the prime minister was there, Kalonzo and I were not," Ichung'wah said.

Ruto and his political rival Raila met on Tuesday evening during a State banquet hosted in honour of King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla.

Photos of the rare meet-up at State House Nairobi captured the two leaders in a cheerful mood, exchanging pleasantries as Raila greeted the King.

Even though the two leaders are rarely seen together publicly, their close allies have previously intimated that they have had private engagements in an attempt to resolve their political feud.

At the State House banquet, Raila was accompanied by Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi and Council of Governors Chairperson Anne Waiguru.