Summary:

• Azimio party leader Raila Odinga accuses Kenyan President William Ruto’s government of corruption and diplomatic missteps, attributing tensions with East African counterparts to these issues, particularly highlighting strained relations with Uganda over an oil trade dispute.

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Raila Odinga, the leader of the Azimio party, has attributed the tensions between President William Ruto and his East African counterparts to corruption and diplomatic missteps by Kenyan government leaders.

On Tuesday, the former Prime Minister claimed that East African Presidents, namely Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Samia Suluhu (Tanzania), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), and Felix Tshisekedi (DRC), were concerned about the escalating diplomatic conflicts initiated by the Kenyan administration.

In a statement, Raila criticized Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for making provocative comments about Rwanda’s government, describing it as authoritarian compared to Kenya’s democratic system.

“It is essential to clarify to Kenyans that our neighbors are not responsible for the strained relations. The root cause of the deterioration in our relationship within the East African Community is the unrestrained greed and corruption within the Ruto government, coupled with the arrogance and offensive language accompanying it,” alleged Raila.

He went on to assert that East African leaders deliberately skipped Kenya’s Jamhuri Day celebrations held on December 12, contradicting Ruto’s claims that he did not extend invitations to his counterparts, as is customary.

“Regrettably, since the ascent of the Kenya Kwanza government, matters have taken a negative turn. Kenyans began to realize the deep-seated issues in our relationship with East African neighbors when we commemorated the significant milestone of 60 years since independence,” Raila countered Ruto’s stance and issued an apology to Rwanda.

“To our Rwandese brothers and sisters, we apologize for the actions of a regime intoxicated by power and corruption.”

In a joint media interview on December 17, Ruto dismissed reports suggesting a souring relationship with Museveni and other East African Community presidents.

“Should I attend the national days of other countries? No. Does that indicate a problem? No. The relationships between me and Museveni are excellent, and the ties between Kenya and Tanzania are strong,” Ruto defended himself and his administration.

These statements come amid escalating tensions between Kenya and Uganda, marked by the termination of their oil trade deal. Uganda, formerly importing oil through Kenyan intermediaries, opted to directly purchase the commodity to reduce costs. However, their application for a license to operate as an Oil Manufacturing Company in Kenya was rejected by Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), heightening tensions.

Raila claimed that Uganda resorted to legal action at Kenya’s High Court, suggesting a widening rift between Ruto and Museveni.

“Uganda has been compelled to approach the High Court in Kenya through its Uganda Petroleum Company to challenge a formula initiated by the Kenya Kwanza cartel. This compels the sovereign state of Uganda to pay a ‘middleman’ fee for its petroleum products to transit through Kenya,” Raila stated.

“To obstruct our land-locked neighbors, who have historically used Kenya for import and export, may have immediate repercussions for them, but Kenya will bear the long-term consequences. As a party, we are alarmed by the direction the Kenya Kwanza regime is taking on the global stage. Our country will pay a hefty price for this recklessness,” he warned.