ODM Leader Raila Odinga had a heated clash son at the Dusit Hotel, prompted by his reluctance to be sworn in as the people’s President.
This is according to a new book, Treason, authored by lawyer Miguna Miguna who has given an insider account of the events that led to Odinga’s mock swearing ceremony on January 30th, 2018.
Junior is reported to have been angered by his father’s reluctance and confronted him over as aides listened in silence.
Odinga had postponed another swearing in ceremony after a request was reportedly made by his NASA co-principal Musalia Mudavadi who wanted NASA deputy leader Kalonzo Musyoka to be given time to return from Germany before the oath could be administered.
Miguna, businessman Jimi Wanjigi, Siaya Senator James Orengo, and Junior had insisted on the swearing in ceremony proceeding on while Musyoka could be sworn in at a later date.
Excerpt
[“Jakom, I think Miguna made a lot of sense. We should go ahead with the swearing in. After all, we have been declaring that we shall swear you in if they swear Uhuru in for a long time…,” Orengo said.
“Dad?” Junior said, cutting Orengo off. Raila looked pensive, engrossed in his private thoughts.
“Look at me, Dad,” Junior persisted, Look at me! Why do you think I have been attending these meetings…all of a sudden? Ask yourself why. I have never taken part in your political activities before. But I have been coming coming to these meetings. Why?” He fixed Raila with a stern gaze. There was total silence in the room.
“I am a very experience politician. I know what I’m doing,” Raila mumbled, his teeth clenched. He was trying to intimidate and muzzle his son, Junior.
“Yes, I agree that you are very experienced. That’s not in doubt and I am not in doubt and I’m not questioning it. I agree that I’ve no political experience. But I am a Kenya. And right now, I don’t trust you. I don’t believe in you. You are disappointing me. And that’s the way millions of Kenyans think. Now, if I cannot trust you right now and I’m your son who loves you a lot, how will you regain the trust of all those Kenyans who will trust in you completely the moment they hear you have refused to be sworn in? Tell me How?”
The tension was palpable. Raila Junior was visibly upset.
“Jakom,” Wanjigi said. “You cannot back out now. We must go on with the program.”]