RAILA ODING CONFIRMS INTERVIEW WITH JOSEPH OBIERO, says he was tired!!

From: Michoma D. Moenga

http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2007/09/28/
raila-odinga-confirms-that-a-talk-with-joseph-obiero-
took-place-but-denies-it-was-in-a-form-of-interview/

Raila Odinga confirms that a talk with Joseph Obiero took place, but denies it was in a form of interview.

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Posted by africanpress on September 28th, 2007

Raila confirms that there was a talk with Joseph Obiero and six others while on his US tour, and regrets that he made such comments. The presidential aspirant says that he was tired and that the comments were made under duress, adding he did not mean to hurt anybody.

According to Raila, Obiero and the six others asking questions did not disclose to him that whatever came out at the time was meant for publication. He terms it as a friendly chat along the corridor.

Raila accuses Obiero for causing unnecessary chaos during this time of need for political unity in the country. He castigates Obiero, saying Obiero is lucky to be in the US enjoying all the freedom that country provides. Raila, however, says he is not bitter and is not considering to sue Obiero, but warns the media that they will be sued if they continue to try and dismantle what he is trying to build.

Getting the confirmation has been necessitated by the many comments sent in by those who have doubted the authenticity of the comments (interview published by Mashada.com and ourselves), an interview reportedly carried out by Joseph Obiero when he got the opportunity to speak to Raila in the US. The interview we have titled A shocking interview: Obiero interviews Raila Odinga while on his US tour recently, in API*APN has angered many Raila supporters who seem to think that a Luo man, Joseph Obiero, cannot publish anything that goes to reveal Raila's thinking during this time when Kenya politics is hotting up. This should teach us a lesson that not all the Luo people are Raila followers, nor can they be forced to follow Raila's footsteps. Their choice(s) should be respected if they have a different opinion or if they express their support for President Kibaki's second term or ODM-K's Kalonzo Musyoka.

We now hope that the matter has got the clarity it deserves.

Published by Korir, African Press International - API/ African Press in Norway - APN. africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525