sent by Michoma D. Moenga
MOU news paper report

Story by NATION Reporter and Correspondent

Publication Date: 11/8/2007

ODM Presidential candidate Raila Odinga has an agreement with Muslims, after all.

Mr RailaTouching on the issue that has generated heated debate in the country, Mr Odinga declared that he had never contradicted himself over the pact with Muslims.

Instead, the outgoing Lang'ta MP blamed the media - - specifically the Nation - - for the turn of events over the memorandum of understanding with Muslims in the country.

" I never denied that we have an understanding with Muslims. I never made such denials in Nakuru and what is being hyped is a creation of the Nation," he said on the phone.

Mr Odinga kicked off the debate on November 1 at Kasarani during a meeting with women when he said that he had entered into a pact with Muslims to support his election bid. He said: "I want to announce that I signed a memorandum with the Council of Imams three days ago."

The announcement was questioned by Evangelical churches who demanded that Mr Odinga makes public the MoU with Muslims.

Shock and disbelief

But on November 4, Mr Odinga went to Bishop Mark Kariuki' Celebration Centre in Nakuru and reportedly stated that he had not signed any pact with Muslim leaders.

The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims expressed "shock and disbelief" at the denial.

Secretary-general Adan Wachu said they had been kept in the dark about the deal between Mr Odinga and "hand-picked" Muslim leaders.

In Lamu, Imam Mahfudh Mohamed said those talking about the MoU had not revealed its contents.

"These MoUs are irrelevant because we have a place to fall back to. All the claims about President Kibaki not being sensitive to our issues was mere propaganda that should not be taken seriously," the Imam said.

Tana River district Muslims demanded an apology from colleagues who signed the secret deal "for selfish motives".  How could they have made an agreement without consulting other Muslims?" asked Sheikh Idris Bakero, Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya district secretary who read the statement.