Kenya’s President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga are expected to meet in the United State next week.
The two political antagonists were invited by US President Joe Biden and will be part of the African Leaders Summit that brings together African Heads of State.
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party presidential candidate Raila Odinga left the country on Saturday, December 10.
Ruto, who on Monday, December 12, presided over the 59th Jamhuri Day Celebrations at the Nyayo stadium is expected to depart for the US ahead of the three-day summit that begins Tuesday, December 13.
Ruto will be attending the summit as the Head of State while the former Prime Minister will be attending the summit in his capacity as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the summit seeks to deepen the partnership between the US and the African continent
“This summit is an opportunity to deepen the many partnerships we have on the African continent,
“We will focus on our efforts to strengthen these partnerships across a wide range of sectors spanning from businesses to health to peace and security, but our focus will be on Africa next week,” Karine Jean-Pierre said.
The reunion between Raila and Ruto in the US comes at a time when the two political arch-rivals are in a bitter exchange of words over the amendment of the Kenyan Constitution 2010.
While President Ruto is defending the amendment of the Constitution to create the office of the opposition leader in the country, Raila on the other side is against the move saying the president cannot initiate constitutional amendments.
“That a president cannot initiate constitutional amendments. Amendments must start with the people, and must be driven by the people. Those amendments must chiefly center on the interests of the common man,” Raila said in a statement on Monday, December 12.
