Keep off Kenya affairs, Raila tells Museveni

Raila Odinga. File Photo 

By Yasiin Mugerwa & Emmanuel Ainebyoona

In Summary

Response. Mr Tamale Mirundi, the President’s spokesperson, says Mr Museveni was only thanking Kenyans for voting against the wish of western powers not Raila Odinga.

KAMPALA.

State House yesterday hit back at Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga who asked President Museveni to stop meddling in Kenya’s internal affairs.


President Museveni’s spokesperson, Mr Tamale Mirundi, accused the former Kenyan Premier of trying to make a mountain out of a molehill, saying “the President does not meddle in the affairs of other nations unless the situation warrants his intervention”.

While in Kenya early this month during celebrations to mark Kenya’s 50 years of independence, President Museveni thanked Kenyans for voting against the wish of “Western imperialism”.
However, despite his disclaimer for not interfering in Kenya’s domestic affairs, Mr Odinga took offence.

Misunderstanding
Speaking at a memorial service in Butangi, Busia County [Kenya] at the weekend, Mr Odinga urged Mr Museveni to desist from Kenyan internal affairs.



“A very irresponsible statement was made during the 50th day celebrations, a very solemn occasion when the President of Uganda said Kenyans voted against imperial dictation that Kenyans rejected what they were being asked to do at the polls and even liken this election to a second Mau Mau revolution,” Mr Odinga said.



He added: “He implied that those people who were running those election were being sponsored by some foreign powers.”

The Kenyan opposition leader said Kenyans did not need advice from President Museveni.
“Kenyans know what they want, they know their leaders and they know what they want. They know what they want and they vote according to their choices. They do not need any kind of advice from him,” Mr Odinga said.



Mr Odinga lost the presidential race to Uhuru Kenyatta in the March 4 polls.