Uhuru, Raila pledge national reconciliation as their priority

BY MONGOA MOSOTA and PPS

The push for bipartisanship in national politics launched last weekend with a meeting at State House, Nairobi, was on show again.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga pledged to work together in developing the country at the funeral of a prominent trade unionist in Nyanza.

The President said his Government would not discriminate against any region, saying it would have space for everybody.

His remarks were seen to be directed at the 5.3 million Kenyans who did not vote for him during the March 4 General Election.

This was the President’s first visit outside Nairobi after being sworn-in as the country’s fourth President on April 9.

 Uhuru, who is about to name a National Executive (Cabinet), said his Government incorporates all groups, irrespective of their political affiliations.?

He was speaking at Onjiko Boys High School, Kisumu County, during the funeral ?service for the late Kenya National Union of Teachers Secretary General David Okuta Osiany.

Unite country

“Let me assure all Kenyans that I will work with all leaders, including my brother Raila Odinga to unite the country and accelerate development,” the Head of State said.

He urged Kenyans to forget the differences that arose during the General Election.

“Competitive politics is not enmity,” said the President. “Elections are over and let’s work together to develop the country.”

?Raila echoed the President’s words and assured his supporters his political career had not ended after the loss in the March 4 elections.

“We need to move this county forward and the most important thing is to work together,” said Raila.

The President eulogised Okuta as a patriot with a keen sense of duty to the country who always assessed? the implications of his demands on other Government financial commitments as he negotiated salary increases for teachers.?

He described him as a unionist who embraced objective dialogue and negotiations. ?Saying teachers and the Government have a common destiny the Head of State assured them of closer working relations.

“We need one another. Let’s pull in the same direction,” he said. ?President Kenyatta conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the widows and?children of the departed Okuta and shared in their grief.?

Uhuru and Raila said they would work together as reported last weekend, with Deputy President William Ruto and former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka.

Speaking in Kiswahili, Raila said the breakage of a cooking stick is not the end of cooking, adding that he was still in the political scene. A number of speakers at the ceremony referred to him as His Excellency, while others referred to him as former Prime Minister.

One used the phrase, “His Excellency the President, Raila Odinga” leaving it unclear whether she was referring to Raila as the president or merely observing protocol without using Uhuru’s name, and Raila’s title.

 Support Knut

“Please call me Raila Amolo Odinga,” he said, amid laughter from the thousands of mourners. The ODM leader said the Government should support Knut by employing more teachers to address the current shortage.

Yesterday, Uhuru said he would visit all parts of the country, to understand the problems Kenyans face. ?He stressed the need for national reconciliation.

“I will visit Siaya, Migori and other counties to see how I can work with other leaders to deliver on development,” he said, adding that he would soon return to Kisumu.

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, who is in ODM, urged Uhuru to support county governments.

“Your commitment to devolution should be unwavering as this is the only way development will be bright down to the common wananchi,” said Kidero.

Siaya Senator James Orengo said Raila’s role in the country’s democracy cannot be underrated.

Move forward

“But let us move forward and Mr President we urge you to address problems faced by this region (Nyanza),” said Mr Orengo.

Uhuru arrived at the ceremony at 11.30am, while Raila arrived 45 minutes later accompanied by Orengo. He said he would work with neigbouring countries to enhance cross-border business.