Raila Odinga Leaves For One-Week Tour Of UK To Rest, Relax After Spat With US Envoy

• ODM leader Raila Odinga met with Delaware senator Chris Coons shortly before he flew to the United Kingdom
• Raila's trip comes a few days after he heavily criticised United States Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, over her remarks that President William Ruto won the 2022 elections fairly
• According to ODM leader's spokesperson, Denis Onyango, the former prime minister will use his trip to the UK to relax

Nairobi - Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga has departed to the United Kingdom for a week-long official and private visit.

Who did Raila meet before flying to UK

The former prime minister's spokesperson, Denis Onyango, disclosed that Raila will use his trip to relax after a busy schedule.

The ODM leader will also meet friends, family members, and business associates during his visit.

"He will also use his stay in the UK to rest and relax, which he doesn’t do enough back at home," Onyango said.

Before departing the country, the former prime minister revealed that he bumped into Delaware senator Chris Coons, who was leaving for the United States of America.

Raila said they wished each other safe fights as they hoped to meet again.

"Our paths crossed again last night with my friend Senator Chris Coons heading home to the US while I left for the UK. We wished each other safe flights, hoping to see each other again. Always a pleasure Chris," Raila said.

The Azimio la Umoja leader's trip to the UK comes barely days after stirring a political storm in the country by unleashing a scathing attack on US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman over her remarks on the 2022 presidential election.

Raila blasted the US envoy, asking her to shut up after she insisted that the 2022 elections were free and fair.

Why Ruto defended Ambassador Meg

Meanwhile, President William Ruto defended the remarks by Ambassador Meg regarding the 2022 General Election.

Speaking at the official 2Jiajiri/GIZ Graduation Ceremony, Kasarani, Nairobi, the president hit out at Raila for criticising the US envoy despite her simply stating facts.

According to Ruto, Meg only made a factual statement regarding the outcome of the 2022 elections in which he defeated the ODM leader.

"The American ambassador said two statements of fact, that the 2022 election was free and fair, which is a statement of fact. She also said Kenya is open for business, which is also a statement of fact. Surely let us have some decorum and respect ourselves as we demand respect from others," Ruto said.

At some point, the head of state fell short of labelling the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader as a rogue for his anti-government protests.

"I was asking myself, between the people organising demonstrations and destroying property and the U.S Ambassador, who is rogue? I leave it up to Kenyans to decide," he stated.