NASA leader Raila Odinga. He has said he dos not support the secessionist agenda. [PHOTO/nation.co.ke]
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has now come out to talk on the secession debate.
Raila said he does not support the formation of the so-called People’s Republic of Kenya but that he believes those pushing the agenda have legitimate concerns.
Raila said that proponents of the separatist agenda have “a justified cause” because of what he termed as “successive ethnic discrimination” since independence.
He was speaking in an interview with The Financial Times in London last week.
“We believe in a united Kenya. We do not support secession, but you have seen the disintegration of countries in eastern Europe. This debate about self-determination is gaining currency as a result of mis-governance,” Raila said as quoted by Nation.
“The debate about self-determination is gaining currency. When people become desperate they resort to desperate measures,” he added.
He warned that a political crisis caused by a disputed presidential poll as well as years of “ethnic discrimination” have placed an urgent debate about secession.