The Mountain Journal
editor@themountainjournal.co.ke
Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata eulogised the late Raila Odinga describing him as a friend for years.
He said Raila remains the few politicians who had interests of Kenya at heart, and in 1999 at the university of Nairobi he was elected the vice chairman at SONU through the support of Siaya Governor James Oreno and Karl Max and who introduced me to Raila.
“ When I was expelled from the university, efforts by Raila and the late President Mwai Kibaki ensured my return to the lecture room, alongside other students including UDA Secretary General Omar Hassan,” said Kang’ata.
In the past year, he said, his pact with Raila grew to great heights, and recently toured Siaya county.
Raila, he said, had his self-styled politics that assisted in shaping the destiny of the country as he faced all the presidents.
“In Pulmogation of the constitution he played a major role,” said Kang’ata adding that the late Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta and President William Ruto all went to him to assist in taming politics.
At the same time, MLIFE Foundation President Mwangi Mukami described Raila as a person who suffered for the others, misunderstood and never lost his faith.
Mwangi said Raila tribulations started after he was implicated in the 1982 coup attempt during the regime of Daniel Moi, and placed in detention for seven years.
“ In the seven years he came out a strong person, with an unrelenting voice that pushed Kenya toward multi-party democracy,” said Mwangi.
He eulogised Raila as a person who will be remembered as he declined to give up until he achieves his goal eying for the benefit of Kenyans.
“Raila walked with the weight of Kenya on his shoulders and carried her forward even in defeat,” said Mwangi.
