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Is Raila in government? Two lawyers differ


Two lawyers have differed on whether or not Nasa leader Raila Odinga is part of government.

It all started with a tweet from Ruto ally Donald B Kipkorir who absolved Mr Odinga of any blame in the ongoing evictions from the Mau Forest.

“Raila Odinga is not in Government …. To blame him for Mau Evictions (which eviction is proper) is dishonest & deceit beyond the pale …. Anyway who believes such rhetoric needs help. Our Forest Towers must be protected above politics,” tweeted Mr Kipkorir.

But in response to Mr Kipkorir, former presidential candidate Ekuru Aukot laughed the assertion the Mr Odinga was not part of government.

“I totally agree with the absolute protection of our water towers. That’s not negotiable with any one. However, I am puzzled by your deliberate political blindness that our friend Raila Odinga isn’t in government. Don, you can do better than that,” he responded.

Speculation has been rife on the role of Mr Odinga in the Jubilee government since the handshake between him and president Uhuru Kenyatta.

Mr Odinga has represented Kenya abroad on several missions since.

Interestingly, the Mau evictions after the 2007 election, which were fronted by Mr Odinga –then as Prime Minister- led to his fallout with Mr Ruto, who was opposed to the move.

Mr Ruto would later team with Mr Kenyatta and twice defeat Mr Odinga in 2013 and in 2018, after locking him out of the Rift Valley vote.