NAIROBI, Kenya – People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has dismissed claims by ODM leader Raila Odinga that the two held discussions on the proposed national conclave talks, distancing herself from the initiative and reaffirming her opposition to the idea.
Karua, speaking on Nation FM on Wednesday morning, clarified that although she spoke to Raila by phone earlier this month, the subject of the talks was never discussed.
“I did not entertain any discussion on the conclave,” said the former Justice Minister. “He [Raila] did suggest a face-to-face meeting, but I told him I was travelling to the U.S. I’m not in favour of any meeting over those matters.”
Her remarks come just days after Raila said during an interview on NTV that he had consulted widely on the proposed national dialogue, including with Karua, retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
“I talk to Martha all the time. A week does not go by without speaking to leaders in both the opposition and government,” Raila said, adding that the idea of a national conclave was his personal proposal aimed at uniting the country and healing post-election wounds.
Karua: My Call Was a Personal Appeal, Not Political Engagement
Karua said she initiated the phone conversation to deliver a personal message from a mutual contact and later followed up with a second call following the Saba Saba demonstrations, which saw violent confrontations between police and protestors.
“My second call was a moral appeal,” Karua explained. “I asked him, as someone who has fought for Kenyans his whole life, how his conscience sits with the continuous bloodletting. I told him I didn’t want a discussion. I just wanted to prick his conscience and leave it there.”
She further urged Raila to withdraw support for the national talks, accusing him of enabling the status quo rather than pushing for accountability.
Raila: Conclave Is Personal Proposal, Not ODM Position
While Raila maintains that the idea is still under consideration and has received varied reactions from political leaders, he acknowledged during his Sunday interview that he had not yet presented the proposal to President William Ruto.
“This was not an ODM position. I made this proposal as Raila Odinga to the people of Kenya to trigger a national debate,” he said. “We’re beginning to gain some momentum.”
According to Raila, Kalonzo Musyoka has yet to fully embrace the idea but remains open-minded.
“He has a ‘wait-and-see’ attitude,” Raila said. “We talk almost every day, and this is still under discussion.”
