Raila Odinga's 'Shut Up' Remarks To Ambassador Meg Whitman Causes Stir Online: "Harsh"

• Raila Odinga did not hold back his feelings about US Ambassador Meg Whitman during the Devolution Conference in Eldoret
• Raila rebuked Ambassador Whitman for meddling in Kenyan politics and urged her to refrain from making political statements
• The ODM leader's remarks have since sparked a huge debate on social media as leaders from both sides of the divide reacted differently

Eldoret - During his keynote speech at the Devolution Conference, Opposition leader Raila Odinga did not mince his words as he expressed his displeasure with United States Ambassador Meg Whitman.

He was responding to Whitman's remarks on Wednesday, August 16, in which she said President William Ruto won the August 2022 fair and square.

Her remarks impressed the president, who even demanded the delegates honour her with a standing ovation, but on the flip side, she seems to have ruffled the Opposition's feathers.

In his strongly-worded speech on Thursday, August 17, the ODM boss told Whitman to avoid involving herself in Kenyan politics and even threatened to launch a push for her to be recalled back to the US.

"Finally, I want to tell the rogue ambassador. Leave Kenyans alone. If Maandamano can lead to dialogue between Kalonzo and Ichung'wah, then everything is good with Maandamano. Tell the rogue ambassador Kenya is not the US, Kenya is not a colony of the US, keep your mouth shut or we will call for your recall back to your country," Raila said as his supporters in the conference jubilated.

How did Raila's remarks shape debate online?

His comments have sharply divided both sides of the political divide and Kenyans at large and further ignited a debate on social media.

This is what some Kenyans had to say about Raila's stern warning:

Qwerty said:

"Traditionally, I would applaud the Opposition leader for this; but currently, I don't understand the dimension of Kenyan politics. Future at hand!"

Mabolo Kituyi said:

"Does Raila even have the power to push for the recall of any ambassador? Only the president has such powers.

@bittertaxpayer:

"Which diplomatic immunity that Raila Odinga has that can Recall an ambassador back to her Country? I think Raila is suffering from hate."

Lawyer wades into debate

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Kenyan lawyer Philip Mwangale also waded into the ongoing debate on Raila's warning to the envoy.

Mwangale opined that the diplomat communicated her country's position on Kenya's 2022 elections.

"Ambassador Whitman was clearly presenting the US government's position regarding the 2022 Elections," he told this writer.

The advocate noted that Raila could be disappointed to see the US support his rival Ruto and not him anymore.

"It is just painful for him that he is not in their good books this time. That the US takes an adverse position to Azimio means they no longer have international political goodwill in the ongoing talks with the government," he said.

"Often, business interests in the US have merged with US Government interests. This time, those business interests represented by brokers like Senator are at odds with each other," he added.

Susan Kihika hits out at Raila Odinga

As reported, Nakuru governor Susan Kihika blasted Raila over his threats to initiate the recall of the US Ambassador to Kenya.

The Nakuru governor angrily termed remarks of the former prime minister as very unfortunate, particularly his choice of words.

Kihika said it was perhaps the right time to tell the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader to shut up and retire from active politics equally.

"It's actually quite unfortunate for a person at his level to talk about an ambassador and tell an ambassador to shut up. Perhaps it is also time to tell him to shut up and retire. If he really heard what Whitman presented, he would have seen that she is not only the best ambassador to Kenya but a good ambassador of Kenya," Kihika said.