Nov 11, 2016(Nyamilepedia) —– Kenyan Opposition Party leader, Raila Amolo Odinga, has responded to unilateral decisions by President Uhuru Kenyatta to withdraw 1000 Kenyan Defense Forces(KDF) who were deployed in South Sudan as part of UN Peacekeepers under the UN Mission in South Sudan(UNMISS).
Mr. Kenyatta abruptly ordered immediate withdrawal of Kenyan Peacekeepers in South Sudan and ordered complete disengagement of Kenya from South Sudan Peace Process because a Kenyan general, Lt. Gen. Johnson Magoa Kimani Ondieki, lost his job as the commander of UNMISS peace-keeping mission in South Sudan.
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Along the same line, Kenya submitted rebels’ spokesman, James Gatdet Dak, to his enemies for welcoming the sacking of the Kenyan General, a decision that jeopardizes safety of hundreds of Kenyans in rebel held areas in South Sudan.
Up to 72 Kenyan nationals were arrested in rebel areas within 24 hours after James Gatdet was handed over to South Sudan national security; however, Dr. Riek Machar, the Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of SPLM/SPLA-IO, ordered for immediate release of Kenyans, saying that they are innocent and do not deserve to be scapegoated for an emotional decision that was made by a few Kenyans.
While agreeing with President Uhuru that Kenya as a sovereign state deserves respect and should have been formally consulted before General Ondieki was relieved, Hon. Raila blames President Uhuru for repeating a mistake to correct a mistake.
While President Uhuru Kenyatta blames Mr. Ban Ki Moon for scapegoating a Kenyan General for “a systemic failure” in UNMISS structures and for acting unilaterally without consulting Kenya, Hon. Odinga blames Mr. Uhuru for “system failure and act of unilateralism”.
“On the contrary, these developments are greatly troubling as they point to a severe system failure and acts of unilateralism that endanger our constitution while at the same time undermine our global standing.” Said Raila Odinga.
According to Hon. Odinga, Mr. Uhuru’s unilateral decisions on the mission and South Sudan peace process violate Kenyan Constitution or otherwise such decisions were ill-advised.
“The unilateral decision by the President to withdraw troops from the UN Mission in South Sudan and the further announcement that Kenya will discontinue its contribution of troops to the proposed regional protection force go against our established policy of engaging with the world.” Said Hon. Raila Odinga
“These actions by the President are ill-advised. It is not clear whether he was acting on advise of the National Security Council or on his own, driven by anger.” He added.
Hon. Raila regrets that president Uhuru, who has been displaying strange acts of rage and anger in the country, could take such emotions to international stage.
“we see the President who has been displaying strange acts of rage and anger locally, taking this to the global stage, making decisions based on anger and emotion to the possible grave damage to Kenya.” Raila said.
The former Prime Minister disagree with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amina Mohammed, who argues that President Uhuru has a right to be angry but to Hon. Raila a country cannot be guided by anger and madness.
“Incidentally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said the President has a right to be angry and that he was mad at the treatment of his soldiers. This is wrong. We can’t lead the country and engage the global community guided by anger and madness.” Raila continued.
“The last thing the world needs is to engage with a country whose leadership can wake up and act unilaterally, giving instructions that jeopardise global peace without notice. The world thrives on predictability and procedure.” Raila added.
Raila accuses President Uhuru of taking footsteps of his counterparts in the region, who violate national constitutions and rule through dictatorship and rule of decrees.
“It is not clear whether these procedures were followed. Parliament was certainly not involved.” Raila said.
“Unilateral actions by the President are usually the first pointers to intentions to overrun the Constitution, institute personal rule and take a country to a dictatorship and rule by decree. It must not be allowed to happen.” Raila continued.
Hon. Raila believes that these are indications of diplomatic and systematic failure, saying that Kenyans deserve full disclosure.
“We have concerns beyond the manner of our engagement with the international community. We are a country governed by the Constitution. We are not an Oligarchy and we are not a failed state.” He states.
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