Thousands receive late Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang's body

Mourners wait at Kenyatta Sports Grounds in Kisumu to receive the body of the late Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang'. [Photo: KEVINE OMOLLO and COLLINS ODUOR]

Kisumu, Kenya: Thousands of Kisumu residents Thursday turned up to receive the body of the late Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang' at the lakeside city even as opposition leaders made fiery speeches critical of the Jubilee Government.

Kajwang's body arrived at Kisumu International Airport yesterday at 9am but it was impossible for the residents to view it.

Former Prime Minister Raila heaped praise on Kajwang', saying he played a major role in ODM politics and he would be remembered for ages.

He said Kajwang' tirelessly defended the ideals of the Orange party.

Majority of CORD leaders present eulogised Kajwang', terming him a fearless defender of Raila.

The leaders took a swipe at the Jubilee administration over the country's security system and accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of failing to protect Kenyans.

However, the former Prime Minister did not criticise the Government while in Kisumu.

Instead, Raila thanked the Government on behalf of Kajwang's family for supporting them to meet the burial expenses and argued the late senator deserved such a hero's send-off.

Raila, who started off his speech by singing a popular Dholuo dirge and a rendition of Kajwang's trademark chorus "Bado Mapambano", spoke for less than five minutes before the convoy headed for Homa Bay County.

Governors Jack Ranguma, Cornel Rasanga (Siaya), Cyprian Awiti (Homa Bay), Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura, senators James Orengo (Siaya) and Johnstone Muthama (Machakos) were among more than 20 leaders present the Kenyatta Sports Ground.

Muthama described Kajwang' as a fearless leader and a firm defender of the CORD leader.

He said Jubilee had failed to offer leadership, and the increased insecurity across the country was a confirmation.

He challenged the President to step aside and pave way for fresh elections if he cannot tame spiralling insecurity, adding that Kenyans had lost confidence in the Government.

"In 2017, we will use all means possible to have Raila in State House. We will not allow anybody to steal our votes as they always have," claimed Muthama.

Suba MP John Mbadi asked the presidency to stop "playing public relations at the expense of the lives of Kenyans".

Raila, while addressing mourners in vernacular, called for unity in ODM party from his backyard as they lay strategies ahead of the 2017 election.

Raila urged perceived rebels to "return home" in the interest of unity.

"We know that some of us are being misled, but we continue to urge them to come back on track. We will proceed with our agenda and we need to work together against our opponents and not fighting within ourselves," said Raila.