Zanzibar Gov't Says it Had No Knowledge of Raila's Presence on the Island

A top official in government of Zanzibar has denied having any knowledge of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga's visit.

The National Super Alliance (NASA) leader traveled to Zanzibar on Sunday and returned to the country on Wednesday. He was accompanied by Suna East MP Junet Mohamed.

In an interview with New York times, his advisor Salim Lone said that Raila traveled to Zanzibar after the unrest witnessed in Nairobi on Friday and Sunday following his return from 10-day trip in the United States.

“The unrest pushed Mr Odinga out of the country. He left Kenya on Sunday night, according to Salim Lone, a longtime adviser to Mr Odinga and his political party. He is now in Zanzibar, off the coast of Mainland Tanzania, " NYT quoted Lone.

However, speaking to Tanzanian daily, the Citizen Minister for State in the office of the Second Vice President Mohamed Aboud said government did not have knowledge of Raila's presence in the country.

“If he is here, it is fine. But what I can say is that until now we have no information that he is coming,” he told the Citizen on Wednesday.

A resident of the island, by the name Abdalla, who spoke to the same newspaper confirmed meeting Raila at a local restaurant.

“We saw him (Odinga) accompanied by four people. He came in and ate with us at the Luqmaan restaurant just like other customers but surprisingly he was not very excited although he agreed to take pictures with us,” said Abdalla.