June 29, 2014
Top leaders, who have been sparring over the contentious dialogue issue, came into rare contact yesterday at the funeral of Gen Jackson Mulinge, where President Uhuru Kenyatta and Cord leader Raila Odinga shook hands amid a short chat. The frosty relations between Uhuru and Raila, apparently caused by the preceding tension occasioned by the forceful Cord push for dialogue, was evident as the two leaders first avoided each other at the dais for almost one hour, until the speeches started when the Opposition leader approached the President and they shook hands.
Raila, accompanied by Minority Senate Leader Moses Wetang’ula had arrived first at Mulinge’s home in Kathiani, Machakos county, where he was ushered into the compound by Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama, Minority National Assembly Leader Francis Nyenze and members of the clergy. He joined his Cord co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka at the dais, after viewing the body. Former President Daniel arap Moi arrived later then followed by Uhuru, who arrived alongside Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua.
They were received by the same entourage, but Raila, Kalonzo and Wetang’ula remained seated at the dais. After viewing the body, Uhuru proceeded to his chair at the dais where he sat without moving to the left side where the Cord leaders stood. Between Uhuru and Raila were Mutua, Moi and Kalonzo. The official programme of speeches was interrupted when Muthama, when given the chance to speak by the master of ceremonies Maj Gen (Rtd) Peter Waweru, proceeded to call the Cord leaders to speak, as they were set to leave earlier for a rally in Narok.
President Uhuru Kenyatta shakes hands with retired President Daniel Moi on arrival for the burial service of the late Gen Jackson Mulinge at Kathiani Boys High School, Machakos county. Photo/ JOHN OCHIENG
He invited Wetang’ula, then Raila. After their speeches, they shook hands with Uhuru’s, with Raila taking about a minute to speak with the President, as some people in the crowd started cheering. Raila, Wetang’ula, Muthama and the Cord entourage then left before the body was buried, leaving behind Kalonzo, who spoke later. Mutua took over after Muthama, to invite Moi, then Uhuru to make their speeches.
The issue of national dialogue featured in the speeches of Uhuru, Moi and Raila, with the President and the Cord leader seeming to stand the ground they have already taken. In the first face-to-face meeting with Uhuru since Raila returned from the United States on May 31, the leaders differed over whether the country should engage in national dialogue. While Uhuru told leaders to unite and avoid heightened politicking, Raila dismissed the calls to have the dialogue channeled through Parliament.
According to Raila, his call for the dialogue with Uhuru was as result of the current insecurity challenge in the country. “There is no dialogue that can be done in Parliament. Parliament is a debating place and therefore we cannot take that path. It is only by coming together that we can dialogue,” said Raila. But speaking last, Uhuru said the country can only develop if all the leaders unite and respect one another. Uhuru was categorical that he only wants leaders to work for Kenyans as this is the only way the country can move forward.
“The country won’t develop without peace and we cannot continue to politic all the time. Let us continue to unite the country for the development of the nation,” said the President. Former President Moi as well as Majority Leader Aden Duale sided with Uhuru and dismissed the Opposition’s call for dialogue, insisting the President should be given a chance to deliver on his mandate. Moi, who spoke after Raila had left, asked the Cord leader to leave Uhuru alone and allow him to work as this is his first year in office. Moi said those who feel unhappy with the way Uhuru has been running his government should wait for the 2017 elections.
Although he urged Uhuru to be friends with Raila’s party, Moi was categorical that those calling for dialogue should channel their concerns through Parliament. Moi reminded the Opposition that leaders are elected by the people and thus should be respected by all. “I urge leaders to desist from making careless statements as peace in the country can only be achieved though unity,” said Moi. Duale asked Uhuru to defend the Constitution and ensure that all engagements are done within the confines of the law.
Nairobi Senator Mike Mbuvi Sonko said Uhuru has not declined to hold dialogue with the Opposition. According to him, the problem with the Opposition is the language they have been using to address the President. “If the Opposition can talk the way they have talked today then we have no problem with dialogue, what we are concerned with is the language used in rallies,” said Sonko.
Cord leaders including Kalonzo, Wetang’ula, Muthama and Nyenze insisted that dialogue rallies are still on. Mulinge, the first General to be accorded full military funeral honours was given a colourful farewell, complete with a 21-gun salute. Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Julius Karangi led KDF chiefs to the funeral of the general who served both in the regimes of Presidents Jomo Kenyatta and Moi.
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