By S, KNA
Busia governor Dr. Paul Otuoma has led the residents in mourning the death of the former Prime Minister and the Party leader of ODM Raila Odinga, who died while receiving treatment in India.
Addressing the press at his office, Otuoma has eulogized Odinga as a father of the nation, man who fought for the democracy of the country.
“This is the saddest day in the history of our country. The enigma has fallen; the giant of democracy and a father of the nation have rested. He was the giant of democracy. He has been our mentor and the country is the way it is today because of him. He has stood for peace, democracy and unity of this country,” he said.
The governor urged Kenyans to continue standing for the values Raila stood for as a sign of respect for the good work he did to the country.
“When our country was on the verge of chaos, he came up and said the country is more important than anyone else. Through his intervention and acceptance to work with president Dr. William Ruto, today we have a united country. That’s the spirit we want to embrace. We can only mourn him through the continuation of advocating what he has advocated for,” he said.
The governor described the former premier as a leader who had the people of Busia at heart, citing the celebration of ODM @ 20 and recent engagement with local leaders.
“When we hosted the first inaugural ODM @ 20 celebrations in Busia County at Bukiri in Samia Sub County, Baba was here, that shows how he loved our country. He has been having engagements with leaders from this county discuss several issues” he said
Otuoma at the same time asked the president to continue walking the journey they had taken with Raila of uniting Kenya, adding that they will continue to support the process.
“As ODM brigade in Busia County, we are going to continue working with the president to fulfil what he had started with Raila. We are going to ensure Kenya remains united and we are continuing to embrace the spirit of Baba in ensuring there is stable country and we are going to walk that journey,” he said.
The governor, who later led the residents in marching from Busia Town to Korinda Junction in honour of the late Raila Odinga, directed all county flags to be raised at half-mast until his burial.
“All flags in Busia should be at half-mast, until we bury Baba. I am also declaring official mourning in Busia County until he is buried and to all leaders, let’s come together at this hard moment regardless of our political stands to mourn our hero,” he said.
A section of the local residents also expressed their sorrows following the death of Raila. Led by Charles Juma, they have eulogized Raila as a state man and a peace-loving leader.
“This was a peace-loving leader, who fought for this country to have democracy and devolution through the new constitution.
He also fought for multiparty democracy in the country. Many a time, he took expected selfless actions, which brought calmness and unity in the country”, added Juma.