Former PM valued Coast cultures, say Kaya elders

Raila Odinga valued the cultures and traditions of the Coast communities, including the Mijikenda and Muslims.[FILE,Standard] Raila Odinga valued the cultures and traditions of the Coast communities, including the Mijikenda and Muslims. He could dress in the Mijikenda regalia or don Muslim robes in his many visits to the region, where he had political influence for many years. He was given local names that carried meaning to the local communities and valued grassroots leaders where he attended events such as funerals. On Thursday, Kaya elders described Raila as a visionary leader who appeared like one of them. Director and custodian of the Mijikenda traditions at Magarini Cultural Centre, Mzee Tsuma Kombe, described the former Prime Minister as a guardian of the Mijikenda rituals and said he was concerned about the safety and welfare of the Kaya elders. Raila had been made a Mijikenda elder, a role he upheld with dignity. "I know he had been made an elder of Mijikenda shrines. During shrine functions and rituals, he would don our Mijikenda traditional regalia together with the Kaya elders," said Kombe.Kombe said Raila became a beacon of hope for many Kaya elders who had been shunned by their families for allegedly being witches and wizards. "Raila was not just a politician. He was a man who deeply understood the importance of preserving culture. He stressed the need to continue to preserve the culture of the people he represented. He made sure that traditions of all communities in Kenya are upheld," he said. He noted that Raila championed for the recognition of the Kaya elders."Kaya elders have been falsely branded as witches. But Raila was one of the people who took part in the sensitisation under the 'Uzee si Uchawi' campaign, which has helped to restore our dignity in the community," he said. Shaban Ndegwa, custodian of Kaya Mtswakara in Kinango Sub-county, Kwale, once dressed Raila in Kaya traditional regalia at a public function and named him 'Mgandi', a popular tree that lives for ages in the area.Ndegwa said that was in recognition of his leadership and love for the Coast people.Raila then revealed that he had been named Gakweli (man of truth) by Kwale elders. At the Coast, Kaya elders are much sought by politicians who bring them closer to the people at the grassroots and also for their wisdom and influence.Yesterday, Kaya spokesman and Jaribuni MCA Peter Shehe said Raila never despised other people's culture or religion. Shehe, who is a former Ganze MP, revealed that Raila and Luo elders had confirmed to attend his traditional function scheduled for November 1 this year in Jaribuni, but Raila's death has disrupted the programme. "He was to attend my traditional function on November 1 at my home in Jaribuni.Raila and some members of the Luo Council of Elders had confirmed they would attend. This was going to be a remarkable day for the people of Kilifi," he said. Shehe confirmed a close working and personal relationship with Raila and valued his friendship. "I am honoured to have personally known him and spent time learning from him. We, the Coast people, will remember him as a leader who brought together people from different tribes," said Shehe. Raila could fly to the Coast to attend Muslim functions or attend funerals in remote areas in the region that remained one of his political bases.

Former PM valued Coast cultures, say Kaya elders

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