Kenya’s Opposition leader Raila Odinga has told the US government to stop meddling with the country’s affairs.
He said Kenya can handle its own crisis without interference from the Donald Trump led US government.
Raila spoke after US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Donald Yamamoto tried to broker a truce between him and President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Yamamoto met Raila together with other NASA leaders at US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec’s residence on Monday.
A source at the meeting disclosed that Yamamoto pushed Raila to drop his plans for being sworn in on December 12.
The US diplomat said such a move was likely to push the country to more political turmoil than it already is.
Yamamoto is also said to have proposed to Raila that he should have a national unity dialogue with President Uhuru Kenyatta which could lead to a power-sharing deal.
But Raila flatly rejected this proposal insisting he does not recognize Uhuru as the President.
He also vowed to continue with his plan to be “sworn in” on Jamhuri day.
On Thursday, Raila said as quoted by the Star: “We will not be intimidated…our friends can advise us but they should not shout at us about violating of the constitution…constitution my foot.”
“Kenya itajengwa…kuapishwa kwangu kutafanyika kwa mkono wa wakenya, si wa wageni,” he added.
In English it loosely translates to: “Kenya will be developed…my swearing-in will be conducted by Kenyans, not foreigners.”
He spoke as families of his supporters buried their loved ones killed by police on November 17.
They had marched to welcome him back from his 10-day US visit.