A section of leaders in Homa Bay County have expressed displeasure over the chaotic memorial ceremony of Raila Odinga in Migwena grounds last week.
A number of leaders allied to the ODM Party are criticizing the organizers of Raila’s first anniversary, for allegedly trying to align the Luo community with opposition.
The National Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS), John Mbadi, who has been a close friend of the late Odinga’s family, is leading the latest criticism of the handling of the memorial event.
Mbadi criticized some individuals in the Raila family for attempting to take the Luo community to the opposition.
Speaking during a funeral service at Sangla Village in Suba South Constituency, Mbadi said those behind the scheme, lacked the capacity to give the Luo community a political direction.
He warned against abusing the respect the Luo community had for the Odinga family members.
“If the Luo community respects you, use the respect appropriately. Let nobody cheat you that you can persuade any section of the Luo community from the government and lead them to the opposition. You will not manage and you are wasting your time,” Mbadi said.
“You cannot pretend to be on the fence all the time. If you are supporting One Term, tell us officially you are One Term and we are ready to counter you through voter mobilization. If you are in Two Term tell us too,” Mbadi said.
Mbadi argued that the love which the Luo community accorded Raila cannot be transferred to One Term proponents irrespective of their family affiliation.
He argued that nobody should pretend to enjoy the political support Raila used to have unless they convinced the community.
“Do not force us to give you the love and respect we used to have for Raila. That support cannot be transferred to you unless you give convincing reasons for transferring it to you,” Mbadi said.
He said nobody had a monopoly of giving birth to leaders. Mbadi said there were many women in Nyanza with the ability to give birth to sons and daughters, who can become political leaders.
“There are people who think they are the ones who can give birth to leaders. But the truth is that every woman has the capacity to give birth to leaders,” Mbadi said.
He promised unprecedented politics in Nyanza next year. “With these issues of entitlement, you are going to see unprecedented politics in Nyanza in 2027.” He added.
According to Mbadi, the Luo community had decided to support President William Ruto’s re-election. He said doing so will enable transfer of power to Nyanza, after the end of Ruto’s second term.
Mbadi argued that the transfer of power will be done through reciprocity. He argued that the political equation will enhance his chances of becoming a president in 2032.
“Luos will support Ruto so that when his term elapses in 2032, a Luo becomes the next president and Mbadi is in the frontline. I want to be a President in 2032,” Mbadi said.
However, Michael Kojo, a human rights defender in Homa Bay County, said that the organizers of Raila’s memorial had the right to invite leaders from across the political divide.
“We need to put aside political differences during such ceremonies. We need inclusivity in our country,” Kojo said.
Kojo said Raila stood for unity of all Kenyans and that is what was replicated in his anniversary.
“It is wrong to say that Raila’s anniversary was meant for ODM leaders only. All political leaders in Kenya, including DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua deserved an invitation to the anniversary,” Kojo said.
Public Policy analyst Fred Omollo, expressed concerns that people who were mentored by Raila failed to attend his first anniversary.
by Davis Langat.
