Mr Ramaphosa has always been suspected of funding the ODM leader’s presidential campaigns and even during the Kenyan crisis of 2007/8 following the disputed election, Mr Ramaphosa was among those who had been considered as mediators between Raila Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki. However, he was turned back at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by the Kibaki administration because his close links with Raila disqualified him from the role
By The Weekly Vision
In a new twist of events, leading lights in President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Coalition have now shifted blame over who funds the weekly Azimio Coalition demonstrations from retired President Uhuru Kenyatta to Mr Odinga’s foreign donors. President Ruto’s allies had in the past blamed Uhuru Kenyatta and some of his former cabinet members as the main financiers of the protests.
Uhuru Kenyatta was however unmoved by the accusations, the president’s allies have now turned their guns on some African leaders and Non-Governmental organizations, accusing them of secretly supporting Raila’s political moves against the Kenya Kwanza administration. Among the African leaders suspected to be bankrolling Raila’s political activities is South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
For years, Mr Ramaphosa has been a close associate of Mr Odinga. It is for this reason that Julius Malema, the leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, was quick to send President William Ruto a congratulatory message after he was declared the winner and later urged Mr Odinga to accept the poll results. Malema and Ramaphosa do not see eye to eye and as they say a friend to your enemy is your enemy, Malema too has no time for Raila Odinga.
Mr Ramaphosa has always been suspected of funding the ODM leader’s presidential campaigns. During the Kenyan crisis of 2007/8 following the disputed election, Mr Ramaphosa was among those who had been considered as mediators between Raila Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki. However, he was turned back at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by the Kibaki administration because his close links with Raila disqualified him from the role.
DRC President Félix Tshisekedi has a very close relationship with Raila Odinga. Their close links explain why he congratulated William Ruto two weeks after he was declared the winner. But strangely, he merely issued a statement saying he would work with whoever Kenyans choose once “competent authorities” in Kenya finalise the electoral process. Ghana President Nana Akufo Addo is another African heavyweight who has forged close ties with Raila Odinga. He is also believed to be bankrolling Raila’s political activities.
Nigerian president-elect Bola Tinubu is another Raila close ally of many years. He is also known to have been bankrolling Raila’s political activities. Several international Non-Governmental organizations across the globe are also known to fund Raila’s political activities as well as wealthy business tycoons across the globe. Such links are what is sending cold shivers down the spine of President Ruto’s allies, hence their move to seek foreign sections against Raila Odinga.
Ruto had implored friendly Western nations to ban Raila Odinga from travelling to their countries should he proceed with his plans for mass action intended to force the president out of office. The Western nations have however not responded to his request.
