By D, KNA
Tributes to the late former Prime Minister (PM) Raila Odinga dominated this year’s Mashujaa day celebrations in Kajiado held in Kitengela township.
Led by Kajiado Governor, Joseph Ole Lenku and County Commissioner James Taari, Residents joined the country in eulogizing the former PM who was laid to rest on Sunday.
Speaker after speaker eulogized the late ODM leader as a steadfast defender of Maasai land rights and minority groups.
Governor Lenku said that the late former PM has carved himself a unique place as one of the most steadfast advocates of Maasai rights as he never hesitated to speak the truth to the powers that be.
“The late Honorable Raila was never afraid to speak truth to those in power. He was never unafraid to revisit the painful chapters of our history and the injustices that dispossessed our people of their ancestral lands and he did so with courage, clarity and conviction,” said Lenku.
Lenku noted that Raila together with maa leaders such as the late William Ole Ntimama, the late John Keen and the late Edward Lowuasa from Tanzania formed a formidable voice that spoke for the marginalized people.
Lenku cited specific land issues from Kedong ranch where the late PM stood with the Maa community adding: “His passionate advocacy for land rights endeared him deeply to the Maa community as land for him was not a political slogan but a matter of justice, dignity and survival of our people.”
In a symbolic gesture to honour the former PM, Lenku announced that he will name the New Modern Kitengela Market after Raila Odinga once it is complete.
Lenku also credited Raila with inspiring his vision of modified pastoralism as he believed that traditional pastoralism has no place in modern economic realities and it must be reengineered.
On his part, Kajiado Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho eulogized the former PM as a selfless leader who put his country first.
He remarked that Raila was quick to forgive his political opponents and described him as the second liberator of the country after the Kapenguria six.
Nominated Senator, Peris Tobiko challenged leaders to emulate Odinga’s example by addressing present day struggles facing ordinary Kenyans.
“Even as we sing about past heroes, there must be future heroes. There must be people to liberate this country from poverty and economic hardships. There must be people who will ensure that Kenyan citizens access clean water, roads and hospitals adequately equipped with drugs. We need people who are people centered and selfless just like the former PM Raila Odinga was,” she said.