[Opposition leader Raila Odinga in a past event. US has dismissed claims that he had his Visa revoked. Photo/Nation]
US state department has dismissed claims that Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga has been barred from travelling to country but insists it regrets his decision to withdraw from the presidential race.
State House Digital Communication Director Dennis Itumbi had sensationally claimed that Odinga’s travelling Visa had been revoked.
But an official from state department told the Nation that Odinga is free to travel to US and that no one has intentions to block him.
“It is our understanding that nothing prevents Odinga from getting on a plane and flying to United States,” said the official.
The official further said:” US does not back any candidate in Kenya and we only remain focused to see a free, fair and credible election.”
Understandably, Odinga had declined an offer from a US institution and instead chose to give public lecture at the Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs.
President Donald Trump’s official representative to Kenya, Robert Godec, had issued stern warning to politicians ‘sabotaging’ electoral commission IEBC from holding polls on 26th October.