The former prime minister was set to join other leaders including President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy Dr William Ruto at the event held at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi on Thursday morning but was instead represented by his running mate Martha Karua.
Dennis Onsarigo, the press secretary in Raila Odinga’s presidential campaign secretariat, in a statement to the newsrooms said “hard-pressing” issues led to the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya presidential candidate missing the event.
During his speech, Deputy President William Ruto asked the congregation to allow him break protocol and invite Ms Karua to address them on behalf of Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya leader.
“In the absence of my brother, the honourable Raila Odinga, who is my main competitor in this election, I am going to ask my sister Martha Karua to come and speak on his behalf,” said Ruto.
Karua, in her address, said she was representing Raila Odinga at the event.
“I am here representing my principal, the Rt Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga. We remember that our Constitution acknowledges the supremacy of God. We pray that moving forward our actions match our words. We pray, especially for us leaders, that we would compete on ideas, and not on insults,” said Karua in her address.
“We pray that we lessen the tension in the nation by the way that we treat one another; none of us is perfect. We pray for God’s grace and strength so that we can be able to lead the nation to value-driven campaigns and value-driven leadership.” added Karua who called on politicians to ensure they commit to peaceful polls.
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