Ngilu declines to read Raila's condolence message

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Water minister Charity Ngilu on Saturday sought to mend fences, again, this time to push for the adoption of the proposed constitution.

The two, who met in Kitui during the burial of former Changamwe MP Kennedy Kiliku, blamed their lieutenants and supporters for their persistent political wrangling and vowed to marshal the Kamba community towards voting for the new constitution.

Bad light

Mrs Ngilu accused some leaders of portraying the VP in bad light as regards his position on the proposed constitution, saying both were now singing the same tune politically.

And, in a show of commitment to her reconciliatory gesture, the minister declined to read a condolence message from the Prime Minister’s office, saying that would amount to a breach of protocol and a show of disrespect to Mr Musyoka.

The two have had an on and off political friendship.

“I am sorry for those who have made careers by stoking political differences among elected leaders in this community,” Mrs Ngilu said, adding that both will now work together.

The two also publicly announced that they would be meeting on Tuesday next week to strategise on how to ensure that the Kamba community votes overwhelmingly for the proposed constitution in the August 4 referendum.

The VP confirmed that both would meet to discuss modalities of mounting joint campaign rallies, saying that a new constitution was more important than the 2012 political ambitions of the current generation of leaders.

Mr Musyoka said his recent booing at Uhuru Park was intended to frustrate him into abandoning campaigns for the Yes side.

Kangundo MP Johnstone Muthama reiterated his support for the draft, saying it was irresponsible for MPs, who have been part of the process in Parliament, to turn against it.

Central Organisation of Trade Unions secretary -general Francis Atwoli pledged to rally the 1.5 million members of affiliate trade unions under the Cotu umbrella to vote for the Draft.

Leaders who attended the burial eulogised Mr Kiliku as a leader who fought tribalism and was consistent in the push for political reforms.

Astute leader

Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa said Mr Kiliku was a leader whose astute qualities transcended ethnic and regional boundaries.

“Mr Kiliku was first elected to Parliament in 1983 and served for three terms until 1997 when he lost his seat.’’

The former MP is best remembered for chairing the famous commission that looked into land clashes in 1991 and 1992, which was popularly known as the Kiliku Commission.

After losing his seat in 1997, Mr Kiliku surprised many when he was elected the secretary general of the giant Dock Workers’ Union where he served for five years from 2001 to 2005.

He was laid to rest at about 5 p.m. in Katulani Village, Kitui Central constituency.