By BARAKA KARAMA
Cord leader Raila Odinga made a last-minute decision to skip the burial of Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno’s daughter last Saturday for “fear of an unfriendly reception”, The People has learned. Other Cord principals—Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper Democratic Movement) and Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya)—avoided Eflyne Otieno’s burial, attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and his Migori counterpart Okoth Obado, among other leaders.
Otieno has been lobbying grassroots support especially in the former South Nyanza region in preparation for Kalausi (whirlwind) party to give what he terms an alternative political platform that will enable him engage with other communities in a more democratic way. The Rongo MP’s move is seen by Raila supporters and allies as a direct challenge to his political hold in the region that has unwavering loyalty to the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga family.
Speaking to The People, a source, who sought anonymity as he is not authorised to speak on behalf of the Cord leader, said Raila reportedly received information that some leaders opposed to him had allegedly ferried youth to the funeral to heckle him. Those mentioned in the alleged plot to embarrass Raila include Kidero, Obado and Otieno, all of who are believed to have a frosty relationship with the Cord leader. It is said on Friday night, more than 500 hired youth left Kisumu on Friday night to attend the burial in Kangeso village, Rongo constituency in readiness to give Raila a “befitting reception” to signal the changing political times in the region.
One of the allegedly hired youth claimed: “We were given instructions to cheer the governors when they rise to speak and to heckle anyone who was attacking them and Dalmas”. During the funeral service, both Kidero and Obado were widely cheered by the crowd when they rose to address the mourners. “Let people not mistake me for speaking with the President because I am the Governor of Nairobi, where the President stays. I will continue to work with the National government for the betterment of our people,” said Kidero in his address.
The source said Raila’s elder brother, Dr Oburu Odinga, is among leaders who reportedly prevailed upon him to skip the burial. The sources quoted Oburu “warning” Raila to shun the function, saying: “Those people have a hidden agenda and I insist you should not go there since it will give us a very bad image”.
Earlier, Rongo ODM branch chairman Obuya Kisuje had expressed confidence that Raila would attend the burial in his Nyanza political backyard. “We expected the Cord leader to attend and had made all the arrangements to receive him but we were informed in the last minute that he was not coming,” he said. The source added that Oburu instead advised Raila to plan for a grand reception in Migori during which where Cord leaders will call be calling the shots.
No comments:
Post a Comment