Azimio leader Raila Odinga has disputed reports that retired President Uhuru Kenyatta would relinquish his position as Azimio chairman.
Speaking in Mombasa over the weekend, the (ODM) Orange Democratic Movement supremo assured people that the retired President had not shown any signs that he would surrender his position in Azimio coalition party. “I was with him (Kenyatta) just yesterday and we even talked this morning. He has not given any impression that he is going to resign from Azimio,” said Mr Odinga on Sunday while addressing the press in Mombasa, reiterating that Uhuru Kenyatta is still Azimio chairman.
There have been rife reports that retired President Uhuru Kenyatta would not continue serving as Azimio chairman – if he wants to enjoy his retirement perks. Legal experts have opined that for a senior political leader to get retirement benefits, he/she needs to first relinquish any political position s/he holds at that particular time. Being the current Azimio chairman, retired President Uhuru Kenyatta is being seen as still playing a key political role in the country, something that the constitution doesn’t give a nod to – should he wants to enjoy his retirement benefits.
President Uhuru assumed the role as the Azimio chairman in the run-up to the last general election, with Raila Odinga as the coalition leader (and flag bearer), and Martha Karua as the running mate to Mr Odinga.
The two leaders (retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga) met in Mombasa over the weekend when the latter was celebrating his 78th. birthday.
