Raila Reacts to Reports of His Role in Looming Cabinet Reshuffle

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has dismissed claims that he is collaborating with President Kenyatta on a looming Cabinet reshuffle.

A section of local press reported that both Kenyatta and Odinga are working on a new Cabinet team in the spirit of their much-publicized March 9th handshake.

Addressing the press at Orange House in Nairobi on Wednesday, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader termed the media reports as “inaccurate.” He said he has no role in matters Cabinet as that is the sole prerogative of the President.

Odinga further dismissed reports that there is a planned four-day joint tour with President Uhuru to the Nyanza region beginning this week.

"@RailaOdinga urges the media to avoid sensationalizing the handshake between him and President Uhuru Kenyatta on the 9th of March 2018 and get facts before going to the press. Says only PSCU & ODM Comms can inform of planned meetings/joint tours between & the President," ODM party tweeted.

Raila was speaking after a closed-door meeting where ODM settled on former Cabinet Minister Ochillo Ayacko as their candidate for Migori Senatorial by-election scheduled for October 8th.

On Tuesday, President Kenyatta appeared to dismiss the reports when he said he was leaving Mombasa for Nairobi to end "speculations."

“I would have loved to stay longer and listen to a few presentations, but I have to go back to Nairobi. I have been in Mombasa for two weeks and there has been too much speculation on why I am here, so wacha nirudi Nairobi ndio wawache mambo ya speculation,” Uhuru who was speaking during the launch of the 10th African confederation of principals conference in Nyali, Mombasa said.