Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition flag bearer Raila Odinga yesterday was in Meru County where he received blessings of the Njuri Ncheke and defended his decision for skipping the debate with his main Rival, Deputy President William Ruto.

Mr Raila Odinga met the Meru council of elders at the Nchiru shrine where he was adorned in traditional clothes and was declared a Meru elder. Speaking at Maili and Kianjai market he said that," The Deputy president was not committed to fight against corruption."

Our opponents have been taunting us that we are cowards and are not ready for the election, but i cannot debate him. When the government fights corruption he has been saying it is weaponising the war on graft. The only place i can meet him is in the ballot. Odinga stated.

In efforts to solidify his base in Meru County, he brought Governor Kiraitu Murungi and Cabinet Secretary Agriculture Peter Munya to bury their hatchet and work together going forward. This is the third time Raila Odinga is attempting to reconcile the two politicians. The Azimio leader was accompanied by his running mate Martha Karua, COTU leader Francis Atwoli, Raphael Tuju, Mr. Peter Kenneth, Junet Mohamed and 001 Governor Hassan Joho.