Veteran politician Kenneth Matiba returns home to hero's welcome

Veteran politician Kenneth Matiba addresses residents at the Kenneth Matiba Eye and Dental Hospital yesterday in Maragwa, Murang'a after he commissioned the health facility established by the county government. [PHOTO: BONIFACE GIKANDI/Standard]

Veteran politician Kenneth Matiba received a hero's welcome in his native Murang'a County yesterday.

The former Kiharu MP addressed his first public meeting 26 years after he left active politics.

Matiba caused a stir when he defied his handlers, who wanted him to disembark from his vehicle and into a wheel chair in readiness to be led to the main dais.

Instead, he demanded for a microphone and started to address the public gathered at Kimorori grounds from his vehicle.

Accompanied by his wife Edith, Matiba expressed gratitude for the establishment of the Kenneth Matiba Eye and Dental Hospital that will provide specialised services to residents. He had been invited by Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria to commission the facility located at the Kenol Trading Centre in Maragwa.

He acknowledged greetings from the enthusiastic crowd that had thronged Kimorori grounds to catch a glimpse of him.

The doyen of opposition politics, who is celebrated for his role in the fight for multi-party democracy, spoke in Kikuyu but would occasionally switch to Swahili and English.

Mr Iria said Murang'a county government had honoured Matiba in recognition of his development programmes including the establishment of Muriranja District Hospital, when he served as the chairman of East African Breweries Ltd and as a Cabinet minister.

The veteran politician said he would be visiting Murang'a several times for close interaction with the community, noting he was impressed by the progress made.

Iria said other heros from Murang'a including former Nairobi Mayor Charles Rubia, would be recognised after they were identified by the local county assembly. "We have many heros from Murang'a, who should be recognised by establishing a heros' corner," Iria said.

Kangema MP Titus Ngahu asked leaders in Murang'a to shun politics and support development. "We honour Matiba who played a crucial role in political development," said Mr Ngahu.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, who described Matiba as his mentor in politics, said Iria had became the first leader to recognise the veteran politician, a culture that should be emulated by others.