Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has come under heavy criticism from opposition activist Miguna Miguna following his failed mission in China in which Odinga accompanied President Uhuru Kenyatta to seek more funds for the Standard Gauge Railway.
Through a series of comments on Twitter, Miguna did not have kind words for Odinga, claiming that he “is exposing the Odinga Clan and by extension all ODM members to ridicule”.
Accompanying the hard-hitting comments were photos allegedly taken at the conference, with the former Prime Minister seated a row behind President Uhuru Kenyatta even as the event ended with Kenya failing to sign the much-hyped Ksh 268 Billion deal to extend the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Kisumu.
“The People's Con-Man publicly announced that he would be ACCOMPANYING Uhuru Kenyatta to China. But we all see him accompanying Jomo Gecaga. Clearly, Uhuru is ONLY accompanied by Monica Juma, James Macharia and Mwangi Kiunjuri. Truth, facts and logic only, please!” Miguna wrote.
Thi fierce government critic fell short of calling the ODM party leader an an imposter and an uninvited guest at the forum as he was seated away from the government delegation at the summit.
“Monica Juma, James Macharia and Mwangi Kiunjuri … are not heads of state but they are sitting up in front! Not at the back with bodyguards like @RailaOdinga. Even greedy cowards and hypocrites like Raila should retain some modicum of pride. #SayNoToUjinga.
“Raila Odinga is a grandfather. He needs to respect himself. He is exposing the Odinga Clan and by extension all ODM members to ridicule. By making Raila Odinga sit next to Jomo Gecaga like an INTERLOPER Uhuru Kenyatta has completely DESTROYED @RailaOdinga!” Miguna fired.
"This is rich and amusing. I've laughed until my stomach hurts. So, @RailaOdinga has become Uhuru Kenyatta's PA-cum-bodyguard like Jomo Gecaga? Imagine Raila Odinga being reduced to the same level as Jomo Gecaga! Gracious Lord! Wow! Sitting right at the back like a JAWANYA!" Miguna stated.
Failed mission
The much-hyped extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Naivasha to Kisumu that saw Odinga and President Kenyatta leave for China in pursuit of Sh380 billion loan for the project did not, after all, go through
Reports have surfaced of the difficult conditions set by China with the Kenyan delegation declining to sign the deal and aggressively defending the interests of the country by proposing more favourable terms.
Nation reports that the deal to obtain Sh368 Billion financing for the next phase of the SGR flopped after the Kenyan delegation led by President Uhuru Kenyatta declined to give in to stringent terms proposed by China with the Kenyan team fronting terms.
Reports indicate that the Kenyan delegation insisted that half of the 368 Billion be given as a grant and the other half as a loan with more relaxed terms, something that China was opposed to.
Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia confirmed that Kenya will have to devise other favorable ways to raise funds.
“Eventually we will have to borrow, but you borrow what you can pay back, and then after you generate some returns you put those returns into a bigger project, which will be this one from Naivasha to Kisumu,” said the CS.