President Uhuru Kenyatta has reportedly summoned ODM leader Raila Odinga, and the four One Kenya Alliance (OKA) principles to State House Mombasa for a meeting set for Wednesday, August 25, 2021.
The meeting comes at the back of a land mark ruling by the Court of Appeal that declared the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) unlawful and unconstitutional.
According to People Daily, the August 25 meeting will convene the pro-BBI leaders in a bid to plot a way forward after the courts quashed the Constitution Amendment Bill 2020.
“The president had convened a meeting tomorrow (today) of ODM leader Raila Odinga, OKA principals Kalonzo Musyoka Musalia Mudavadi, Gideon Moi and Moses Wetang’ula to take stock of the Court of Appeal verdict, but this has been rescheduled to Wednesday to allow maximum attendance,” a source who sought anonymity was quoted as saying.
“This will also be a follow-up on the meeting on Tuesday last week, which largely focused on forming a formidable alliance to face off with Ruto in next year’s General Election,” the source stated.
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However, last week, OKA leaders held a press conference, in which they denied that President Kenyatta asked them to support one of them.
They stated that the meetings with the Head of State have been consultative, and aimed at deliberating on matters of national interest.
"...(Last week's) meeting was one such conference where a new Covid-19 surge and containment measures were the subject of extensive discussion. No one asked or even suggested that we support anyone for anything," OKA stated.
The ruling by the Court of Appeal punctured the chances of pro-BBI leaders forming a wider coalition, as the report advocated for the introduction of the office of the Prime Minister, and two deputies.
Odinga has since maintained that he remains focused on ensuring a better future for the country despite the court's decision.
While addressing mourners in at Magita village in Bondo during the burial of the late Dr. Patrick Orege, brother to former PS Carey Orege, the former premier stated that the constitutional process is not without its challenges.
He noted that even the 2010 Constitution passed through a lot of hurdles. He urged Kenyans to be patient and remain focused.
“Let people stop belabouring on the BBI verdict and stay focused to our 2022 Azimio la Umoja movement,’’ he said.
