[President Donald Trump in a past event. State Department wants Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga participate in Thursday’s elections to ease tension in the country. Photo/cnn.com]
President Donald Trump wants opposition leader Raila Odinga to participate Thursday's elections to 'curb tension that is building across the country', reports the New York Times.
His message has strongly been articulated by US ambassador Robert Godec, who has in many occasions faulted Odinga's move to withdraw from the race.
To ensure stability prevails, the state department says:"Kenya is an economic giant and an election crisis could be detrimental. It is our view that it's better they all go to polls."
Defiant opposition team led by Odinga and lawyer James Orengo have maintained that US should stop 'meddling in internal matters of the country' in most of their rallies.
But according to Trump administration, an Odinga participation could ease tensions and give more room for dialogue.
"It is important that all players take part and this will make it easier to solve a crisis rather than boycotting. We do not want the effects of 2008 to be replicated," says the state department official.
At a press briefing on Monday, Godec pleaded with the opposition to reconsider joining the race adding that US will not tolerate instances of violence targeting election officials.
Already, commonwealth has withdrawn all her observers citing security fears with EU also down sizing people meant to oversee Thursday's exercise.