Nairobi News

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent warm birthday wishes to Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition leader, who turns 78 today.

Mr Odinga has also received goodwill messages from not only political leaders affiliated with his party, but also Kenyans at large.

“I would like to take this opportunity in the new year, to wish my brother and friend Hon. @RailaOdinga a Happy Birthday. May God’s blessings and favour be upon you today and in the years to come,” Mr Kenyatta tweeted.

I would like to take this opportunity in the new year, to wish my brother and friend Hon. @RailaOdinga a Happy Birthday.

May God's blessings and favour be upon you today and in the years to come.

~H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, 4th President of the Republic of Kenya. pic.twitter.com/NZuYiYBZWa

— Office of the 4th President of Kenya🇰🇪 (@4thPresidentKE) January 7, 2023

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Curiously, Mr Kenyatta did not extend a similar gesture to President William Ruto when the latter turned 56 last month.

Mr Kenyatta and Mr Odinga enjoy a warm relationship that commenced with their famous Handshake in early 2018.

The retired president then coopted his erstwhile political nemesis into his government and later appointed him the High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa.

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In the run up to last year’s General Election, Mr Kenyatta overlooked his deputy and endorsed Mr Odinga as his preferred presidential candidate.

However, Dr Ruto had the last laugh after he clinched the presidency in a very closely contested race. The newly-sworn in Dr Ruto then appointed Mr Kenyatta his peace envoy for the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa.

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These turn of events are rumoured to have jolted the relationship between Mr Kenyatta and Mr Odinga, with speculations rife that their are no longer as tight as they used to be.

In public the two leaders still give the impression that are as tight as ever. However, behind the scenes it is said their friendship took a big hit after Mr Odinga lost his bid for the presidency, with some of the latter’s close allies on record for claiming Mr Kenyatta betrayed the Azimio la Umoja leader.

Mr Kenyatta has also taken the blame for Mr Odinga’s election loss from the latter’s close friends and supporters.

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