Leaders Accompanying ODM Leader Raila Odinga to US

By Judy Jerono Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Raila Odinga is already in Washington DC for a one-week tour to the United States of America (USA). The Azimio la Umoja leaders who accompanied the former prime minister Raila Odinga include; the Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, Kisii Governor James Ongwae, his Kakamega Counterpart Wycliffe Oparanya, Kajiado Central lawmaker Elijah Memusi, Homabay County Senator Moses Kajwang, Homabay Town MP Peter Kaluma, ODM Chairman John Mbadi, Nairobi Woman Rep Esther Passaris. Others in the company of ODM leader are Mombasa Businessman Suleiman Shabhal, Raila’s Campaign Spokesperson Prof Makau Mutua, former Kenya Ambassador to the US Elkanah Odembo, and several members of the Campaign Secretariat. In a statement by Raila’s campaign secretariat Prof Makau Mutua, he (Raila) together with his entourage will hold meetings with senior US government officials, senior members of the United States Congress, and key African-African leaders. “Raila Odinga and his entourage will hold meetings with senior US government officials, senior members of the United States Congress, and key African-American leaders. He will meet and address Kenyans in the American diaspora and speak to several think tanks. These key meetings will take place at the nation’s capital in Washington DC. Mr Odinga and his delegation will then travel to San Francisco to meet with leaders and entrepreneurs in the IT and technology space,” said Mutua in a press statement on Wednesday, April 20. “Mr Odinga will take the opportunity of the visit to outline his vision for Kenya, underline the importance of the strategic and historic US/Kenya relationship and the vital interests that the two counties share in the region, promote business partnerships and investment in Kenya in IT and [general] technology, and fellowship with Kenyans abroad,” Mutua added Immediately after Raila landed in the US, he tweeted that he is Looking forward to a robust, interactive series of engagements "Touchdown: Washington DC for a working week. Looking forward to a robust, interactive series of engagements over the next couple of days" tweeted Raila after arriving in the US. Raila was the first one to arrive and was later joined by Martha Karua who touched down at Dulles International Airport a few moments after Raila arrived. "Just landed at Dulles International Airport Washington DC" tweeted Karua. The Narc Kenya party leader later received a warm reception from Kenyans living in the United States of America at Swahili Village, a local East African restaurant in the US.