A mourner at the burial of Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang' at Waondo
village in Mbita constituency on November 28, 2014. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO |
NATION MEDIA GROUP
The Orange Democratic Movement buried one of its most loyal
members with a warning to rebel leaders to toe the line or leave the
party.
The new party leadership unveiled last week said
at the burial of Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ that it would not
tolerate rebellion or petty quarrels.
“We should accept
the proposed list of new party leaders and realise that not all of us
can occupy positions. There is always another day,” said Party Leader
Raila Odinga.
Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero was cheered when he called for streamlining of the party.
“We
should stop infighting and petty quarrels and dedicate our energies to
building the party to ensure we win power in 2017,” he said.
Mr
Ababu Namwamba, who was named secretary general, promised to
re-energise the party with Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, the deputy
party leader, warning that MPs opposing the party position would be
kicked out.
“We want discipline in our party. I will personally crack the whip on anybody speaking a different language,” he said.
Mr
Kajwang’, who died last week of heart attack, was buried at his Waondo
village home on the shores of Lake Victoria in a ceremony attended by
thousands of mourners.
“Kajwang’ was a distinguished
leader, a friend and strong champion of a just and fair society. Those
who have remained should continue with the struggle to ensure this dream
is achieved,” said Mr Odinga.
Neither President
Kenyatta nor his deputy William Ruto attended as did a majority of
Jubilee MPs and senators. Only Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi, Bomet
Governor Isaac Ruto and his Kericho counterpart Paul Chepkwony turned up
at the burial. President Kenyatta and his deputy however visited the
Kajwang’s at their Nairobi home last week.
Leaders present at the burial described Mr Kajwang as fearless, loyal and humorous.
Mr Odinga arrived clad in a Luo traditional mourning gear that included a colobus monkey skin, a shield and a spear.
Cord leader Raila Odinga pays his last
respects to the late Senator Otieno Kajwang' during the funeral ceremony
on November 28, 2014. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The Cord leaders also used the function to accuse the Jubilee Government of failure to address rising insecurity.
They
criticised President Kenyatta’s Wednesday comments that individual
citizens should take primary responsibility for their security, saying
it was the responsibility of the government to protect the lives of its
citizens and their property.
“The Jubilee Coalition is
sleeping on the job while Kenyans continue to die. The Constitution
demands that the government protects its people,” said Senator Moses
Wetang’ula.
Mr Kalonzo Musyoka asked the government to
rethink the presence of Kenyan forces in Somalia, saying it had not been
anticipated that they would stay in war-torn country for that long.
The
former VP accused the jubilee Government of perpetrating negative
ethnicity by excluding a section of Kenyans from governance.
“Besides corruption, tribalism is the biggest challenge in Kenya. We want a detribalised county,” said Mr Musyoka.
Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro, described Mr Kajwang’ as an orator who always made the House lively.
Others
who spoke included Senators Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), Hassan Omar
(Mombasa), Amos Wako (Busia), James Orengo (Siaya), Juma Boy (Kwale) and
Johnston Muthama of Machakos.
Mr Odinga also used the
function to rally support for the ODM list of new officials to be led by
Mr Namwamba, the Budalang’i MP and Suba’s John Mbadi.
Mr Musyoka threw his weight behind generational change as well as efforts by ODM to rebrand itself ahead of the next election.
Family members lay flowers at the grave of the late Otieno Kajwang'. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Mr Kajwang’s widow, Dr Rose Otieno, celebrated her husband as a tall, slender man with white teeth and a baritone.
“I celebrate the life of the man I loved. Goodbye mapambano,” she said.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale led a group of Isukuti dancers in a performance around the grave and into the main house.
Mr Kajwang’ was laid to rest at 4.05pm in a ceremony witnessed by close family members, church leaders, Mr Odinga, and a few colleagues from the Senate.
Mr Kajwang’ was laid to rest at 4.05pm in a ceremony witnessed by close family members, church leaders, Mr Odinga, and a few colleagues from the Senate.
Others at the burial were Governors Cyprian
Awiti (Homa Bay), Jack Ranguma (Kisumu), Cornell Rasanga (Siaya), Hassan
Joho (Mombasa), Amason Kingi (Kilifi), John Mruttu (Taita Taveta),
Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Moses
Akaranga (Vihiga).
Heavy security
There was a heavy presence of anti-riot police who ensured that wananchi did not storm the home.
Ms
Faith Vivian Otieno, the woman who has also laid claim on Mr Kajwang’
as her husband arrived at the graveside together with her son Ronnie
Odinga Otieno and daughter Christine Akinyi Otieno.
But neither Ms Otieno nor her children were given an opportunity to lay wreaths.
She later led her children out of the home as Dr Rose Otieno and her children gathered for prayers in the house.
The
security teams at the function was overstretched as dignitaries arrived
with hired youths, some of whom made their way to the dais.
By 11am, the Dome tent, which has a capacity of 10,000 people, was packed to capacity with an equal number of mourners standing.
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