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Obama tells off opposition leader for double speak


President Barack Obama took a swipe on one of the opposition leaders over double speak on various issues affecting Kenya.

The US President who has just ended his visit to Kenya openly criticized the leader whom he did not name, saying he has been pressurizing him to challenge the government, yet he had previously opposed the US to keep off Kenya.

He gave a hint that the said leader has recently been in government and had been very critical of the US government’s involvement in Kenyan matters.

“When I had a meeting with the opposition a few moments ago, one of the members whom I will not mention told me to press the government on certain issues then I told them you were in government, you were the one who was telling the US to keep off…” he said while meeting the civil society at Kenyatta University’s Yali Regional Leadership Centre.

He said there are people who want the US to be involved when they’re not in power but take a different position when they are in power.

GOVERNANCE AND DEMOCRACY

“Everyone when they are not in power want the US Government to press the (Kenya) Government in power on this or that issue, but I remember when you were in power you told us (the US Government) to mind its own business…” he said.

The US President met key opposition leaders at the Safaricom Indoor Arena early afternoon at the after addressing Kenyans at the same venue.

Opposition leaders (from left) Raila Odinga, Martha Karua (partly hidden), Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula after a closed door meeting with President Barack Obama at Kasarani Indoor arena. PHOTO | DENNIS KAVISU)
Opposition leaders (from left) Raila Odinga, Martha Karua (partly hidden), Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula after a closed door meeting with President Barack Obama at Kasarani Indoor arena. PHOTO | DENNIS KAVISU)

He met Cord Leader Raila Odinga and his co-principals Senator Moses Wetangula of Ford Kenya, Kalonzo Musyoka of the Wiper Democratic Movement and Narc Kenya’s Martha Karua.

The talks centred on the areas of governance, security and democracy.

Mr Musyoka told the Daily Nation it was a very important meeting. The opposition leaders are scheduled to address a press conference tomorrow over the same.