Raila, Kalonzo and Wetangula miss burial

CORD leaders from left Kalonzo Musyoka, Raila Odinga and Moses Wetangula

CORD luminaries missed out on former First Lady Lucy Kibaki’s burial in Othaya. Organisers of the sitting arrangements appeared to have anticipated their attendance and allocated them seats closer enough to the main dais but not very close to the main dignitaries.

The seats were labeled by their names and titles; “Hon Raila A Odinga, EGH Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, Hon Moses Wetang'ula, EGH Senator, Leader of Minority, Hon Kalonzo Musyoka, EGH, Former Vice President of the Republic of Kenya.”

Musyoka and Wetang'ula’s labels were however hand-written while Raila’s was printed out. Raila’s former ally turned foe Miguna Miguna was present throughout the ceremony. Apart from the President, his deputy, deputy speaker of the Senate Kembi Gitura and Nyeri Senator Mutahi Kagwe, no other politician including area MP Mary Wambui was accorded the opportunity to speak. They did not appear in the programme in the first place.

It is Ruto, in his political magnanimity, who decided to introduce MCAs and MPs present by asking them to stand up for recognition. He forgot about the governors but later remembered and asked them to stand.

By 6am in the morning, the venue was blaring with sweet gospel music. State House’s First lady Choir was already on stage by 8am as mourners trooped in.