RAILA MEETS GACHAGUA: DETAILS OF THE MEETING

US Senator Christopher Coons who is credited for engineering the handshake between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Azimio leader Raila Odinga in 2018 visited Kenya on Wednesday, March 29 for high-level meetings.

In what mirrors the happenings of 2018, Coons led a US delegation in meeting Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Azimio leader Raila Odinga.

In both closed-door meetings, the agenda for fostering democracy and bringing peace and stability to the country  

featured prominently.

“We had consultations to further strengthen ties between the two nations, especially in trade, partnership in security, and democracy, among others key issues of mutual interest,” Gachagua revealed immediately after the meeting.

Raila similarly revealed that the US delegation had intensified calls for upholding democracy as well as opening a route for dialogue.

“We discussed political developments in our country. We had a fruitful discussion on the importance of upholding the constitution and the rule of law in all activities and agreed to keep the channels of communication open,” Raila in a statement intimated that there was a future for dialogue.

This was the second time since the August 9, 2022, General Election that the Senator for Delaware held such high-level meetings.

Immediately after the highly contested election, Coon met Uhuru, Raila and President William Ruto to emphasize the need for stability and a peaceful transition of power.

Similarly, after the 2017 controversial election, the Delaware senator met Raila and Uhuru where he was instrumental in brokering peace between them.

The Coon led-team is among a host of international and national leaders calling for a dialogue between Ruto and Raila.

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops on Sunday, March 19, called for the two leaders to dialogue and end the protests  

witnessed in various parts of the country.

In a statement read by Mombasa Archbishop Rev Martin Kivuva Musonde the Church noted that the demos were posing a serious threat to the country’s peace and stability.

The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) similarly on Tuesday, March 14, called for dialogue between Azimio and Kenya Kwanza coalitions.

The international community also piled pressure for a handshake through a joint statement  

by Embassies and High Commissions in Kenya dated Wednesday, March 29.

“As friends and partners to Kenya, we are deeply concerned by the recent unrest and violence as well as the destruction of places of worship and property.

“We, therefore, call on all leaders and all Kenyans to maintain peace, show restraint and work towards a swift resolution for the common good of Kenya,” the international community urged for a dialogue.

The statement was issued by Australia, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.

By Kenyans