Uhuru says handshake here to stay, condemns tribal fiefdoms

President Uhuru Kenyatta, DP William Ruto, Governor Charity Ngilu among leaders who joined family, friends and mourners during the burial of Kalonzo Musyoka’s father the late Mzee Peter Musyoka Mairu at Tseikuru in Kitui County. [Paul Mutua, Standard]

 

“Never will Kenyans shed blood again every five years because of an election and tribal politics” was President Uhuru Kenyatta’s message to the nation during the burial of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s father.

Mzee Peter Musyoka Mairu was interred at Tsiekuru, Mwingi, Kitui County today.

Reinforcing his oft-repeated explanation for his rapprochement with ODM leader Raila made public on March 9, the President told those who had misgivings about what has come to be referred as the Building Bridges Initiative there would be no going back.

Never again will Kenya be balkanised into Luo, Kikuyu, Kamba Kalenjin fiefdoms, said the President.

“We will not allow the loss of life and property because of tribal politics every five years,” he told mourners.

The President advised leaders to see him officially over matters affecting their constituencies instead of playing to the gallery.

“My office is open to all”.

Raila Odinga said the handshake was paying dividends as was evident in the progress realised in the war against corruption and other vices; that it became necessary to work with the President after realising “River Jordan was infested with crocodiles.”

The River Jordan-Canaan-crocodile motif just can’t fade away from Kenya’s political parlance.  It was therefore no surprise when it popped during the burial.

The Jordan talk is an allegory of NASA attempt to capture the presidency in the 2018 elections, the presidency being Canaan; the crocodiles the obstacles in the way. 

Raila introduced the crocodile bit to explain the harsh political realities that forced him and President Uhuru Kenyatta to bury the hatchet.

The Building Bridges Initiative, he has explained, was necessary because the Joshua in him encountered the reptiles on River Jordan

Kathiyani MP Robert Mbui rekindled the crocodile talk when he said he was also a victim, sentiments that rubbed National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale the wrong way.

“There are no crocodiles amidst Kenyans. Don’t take us back, to the mamba talk,” responded a livid Duale.

But it didn’t end there. Senate Minority leader and Siaya Senator James Orengo urged Duale to take it easy.

“Duale shouldn’t be over-sensitive. Politicians must tell their stories. If you are over-sensitive, you are in the wrong business,” Orengo told Duale.

Deputy President William Ruto steered away from the crocodile talk only remarking, tongue in cheek, it would be unnecessary if the Bible was translated into all Kenyan languages.

On matters development, President Uhuru said he was looking for funds for the second phase of the Kibwezi-Kitui road although some people were against borrowing.

He also said the contractor doing the Kiambere-Tsiekuru water project would lose the job for taking inordinately long to complete the project.