ODM leader Raila Odinga has blamed Kenya Kwanza administration for the poor diplomatic relations between Kenya and the East African Community countries, that even saw neighboring head of states miss the 60th Jamhuri celebrations.
In a statement, the opposition leader noted that EAC countries have been Kenya’s brothers and sisters as well as trading partners since independence.
According to him, previous administrations strived to nurture the important relationship, contrary to what Kenya Kwanza administration is doing.
“Our leaders carefully and safely navigated around challenges that could injure the EAC relationship. Since the resumption of the East African Community as it exists today, the relationship has generally been on an upward trajectory.
“Unfortunately since Kenya Kwanza came to power, matters have taken a turn for worse. Kenyans realized that there is something terribly wrong with the relationship between us and our East African neighbors when we celebrated the milestone of 60 years since independence,” the ODM leader stated.
He added that not only did the presidents fail to show up, but they were also not represented by either their vices or prime ministers as it would be expected.
“We must tell Kenyans that our neighbors are not to blame for this negative development in our relationship. At the center of the continuing damage of our relationship is in EAC is the unbridled greed and corruption practiced by the Kenya Kwanza Ruto government and the arrogance and foul mouth that has come with it,” Raila stated.
He went to cite the issue of Uganda ending the oil trade with Kenya, saying that the country’s oil company was forced to go through Kenya’s High Court to challenge the formula that was instigated by Kenya Kwanza cartels that would see it pay middleman charges for petroleum products transiting through Kenya.
Statement by our Party Leader in regional matters. pic.twitter.com/pi8wltQhjF
— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) December 19, 2023
This comes at a time when President William Ruto denied claims that he was having issues with the East African leaders, hence their absence during Jamhuri Day celebrations.
“Do I attend the national days of other countries? No, does that mean there is a problem? No. The relations between me and Museveni are perfect; the relationship between Kenya and Tanzania is perfect,” Ruto said.
