ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga has tested negative for Covid-19 after contracting the virus and heading into self-isolation early this month.

According to ODM Communications Director Philip Etale, Raila tested negative after three Coronavirus tests were done, his status also confirmed by the party on its Twitter page.

On recovering from Covid-19, Raila met with ODM party leaders, led by Organising Secretary Edwin Sifuna, chairman John Mbadi, National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohamed and Senate Minority Leader James Orengo.

The former Prime Minister reaffirmed the opposition party’s commitment to his infamous handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

He asked the orange party and its supporters to continue showing their commitment to the handshake and its wider national goals in word and deed, “in the interest of the nation”.

“The meeting reaffirmed ODM’s commitment to the spirit of the Handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta that has created an environment of peace and stability required to address the pressing issues facing the country,” Raila said in a statement.

He added, “We also reaffirmed ODM’s unwavering commitment to the Building Bridges Initiative and the constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill that is a product of the BBI process.”

Raila Odinga and ODM leaders at the meeting. PHOTO/ODM

Raila asked MPs to fast track passage of the BBI Bill for it to be subjected to referendum, coming as the process has stalled due to political differences in the relevant committee.

“In the spirit of the Handshake and the wider goals of the BBI Amendment Bill, we agreed on the need for Parliament to fast track the process and release the document to the public to enable the people of Kenya to have a final say on the envisaged changes to the constitution via a referendum,” he said.

He pledges to engage with the government to come up with “ways and means to cushion the people from the ravages of the economy especially during these times of lockdown”.

Raila tested positive for Coronavirus on March 12 while on a “routine check” at Nairobi Hospital before being sent into self-isolation and discharged to recover at home three days later.