Raila leaves for tours in the US, UK

Cord leader Raila Odinga (right), at Migori stadium on July 8, 2016, welcomes Migori Governor Okoth Obado to ODM party after he defected from PDP party. Raila endorsed Luanda MP Chris Omulele and Dr James Nyikal of Seme for re-election, causing disquiet among other aspirants. PHOTO | BENSON MOMANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Odinga expected to meet other US leaders on the sidelines of the Democratic Party convention in Philadelphia.
  • Mr Odinga’s trip abroad comes hot in the heels of a five-day charm offensive in western Kenya to stem ODM rebellion.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga leaves the country tonight for tours in the United States and United Kingdom.

In the US, Mr Odinga will attend the National Democratic Party Convention in Pennsylvania’s largest city Philadelphia where former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be crowned presidential candidate to face off with Donald Trump in November elections.

He is also scheduled to meet other US leaders on the sidelines of the Convention.

Mr Odinga’s spokesman Dennis Onyango said the ODM party leader will travel from the US to the UK where he is scheduled to give a lecture at Chatham House on the importance of democracy in Africa with a focus on Kenya’s experience on July 29.

According to Mr Onyango, Mr Odinga will interact with policymakers and senior business representatives, diplomats, civil society representatives, media, academics and other experts at the Chatham House lecture.

Mr Odinga’s trip abroad comes hot in the heels of a five-day charm offensive in western Kenya to stem ODM rebellion in the region after two party stalwarts, Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba and Funyula MP Paul Otuoma, quit their positions.

Several Luhya leaders among them Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa and Bungoma Senator on Saturday joined in calls for Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula to defect to the Jubilee coalition, taking advantage of sentiments that the senator had expressed during an interview at a local station.

During the interview, Mr Wetang’ula said that Mr Odinga could not defeat President Uhuru Kenyatta in the 2017 General Elections.

However, speaking on Saturday in Busia, Mr Wetang’ula said that Mr Odinga should back him as the coalition presidential candidate because he has more votes to bring to the table compared to his co-principals in Cord.