November 29, 2014 - Today's News In Gazetikenya

ODM warns rebels as Kajwang’ 

buried

FINAL FAREWELL | Thousands turn up to send off singing Senator who died of heart attack

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. 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. Mr Kajwang’s widow, Dr Rose Otieno, celebrated her husband as a tall, slender

Gazeti Kenya

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