EALA lawmaker Dr Oburu Oginga says he doesn't have powers to make decisions on behalf of his younger brother Raila Odinga when it comes to political issues.
Dr Oginga, who inherited his father's Bondo seat in 1994, has been a key player in the successes of his younger brother. He is also said to have played an instrumental role in reconciliation between Raila and Uhuru Kenyatta.
In an interview on Saturday, Dr Oginga expressed his frustrations with the handshake but insisted he can only advise Raila to withdraw from it. Further, he said, only Raila can reach that decision on his own.
“I do not know if he has such thinking. I have not consulted him, he is the one who did the handshake and he is the only one who can consider withdrawing,” said Mr Oginga.
"Raila would be the one to make the final decision, on withdrawing or not. I can only advise him, but if he refuses then it is up to him, but he needs to be careful with his image,” said the Eala MP.
According to the veteran lawmaker, the run away corruption in government could hurt Raila's credibility in future. He said the government should work extra hard to tame graft lords as enshrined in handshake deal.
"If he continues to stay in an environment where corruption is sustained and condoned, in an arrangement where corruption is abetted and entertained, it will not be good for his personal image,” he said.
He noted that the president had however shown some resolve and done his best though he was not sure if Kenyatta’s best was good enough. “Let us give him a chance and see how far it goes, I do not think Raila’s image so far been hurt and time is the best teacher,” he said.
Last Thursday, President Uhuru Kenyatta said he's committed towards making the handshake work. However, the Head of State said the fight against corruption will be executed within the confines of the law.