Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Joy and wine flow at Raila victory party

By DAVE OPIYO dopiyo@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, August 17 2010 at 22:30

Guests mingled freely and chatted heartily as the sound of music reverberated across Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s compound in Karen, Nairobi.

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Though it was difficult to discern the real nature of their conversation, one thing that came out clearly were the peals of hearty laughter that followed.

Everyone — Cabinet ministers, MPs and other top leaders from ODM and PNU — was in a joyful and party mood. After all, they were at the PM’s residence to celebrate a major victory - the overwhelming public support of the August 4 referendum.

The final official referendum results showed 67 per cent of voters had cast their ballots in favour of a new constitution, while 30 per cent voted ‘No’.

At the PM’s residence, the parking lot was full of top of the range vehicles, leaving no doubt as to the kind of guests at the event; security had been beefed up. Those allowed into the PM’s residence were vetted.

Once the guests were ushered into the compound, they were met by a bevy of beauties, who offered them soft drinks as starters. This was ostensibly to make them feel at home.

But just a few metres ahead, was a buffet table, which obviously excited nyama choma (roasted meat) lovers. It was there in plenty, as was chicken, lamb and beef.

There were also various drinks — beer, wines, spirits, soft drinks — name it. At the time of the speeches, the few selected to speak were careful not to bore people eager to drink something.

“I don’t want to bore ... I want you to enjoy your drinks,” said deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta when he made his speech.

Similar remarks were also made by the other deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi, one of the co-conveners of the ‘Yes’ campaign.

The three, excluding the PM, were the only men who spoke at the event. Quoting what President Kibaki said at a separate event, Mr Kenyatta added: “I don’t care what you do or say today, nothing will make me angry.”

Ida, the PM’s wife, was also invited to welcome the visitors to her home. “We are celebrating a great day,” she said. “We appreciate your hard work in ensuring ‘Yes’ emerged victorious. Those who will come after us, including our grand children, will definitely say we did a good thing by giving them the new Constitution.”

Mr Odinga, clad in a dark suit and a matching cap said: “I feel so proud to be a Kenyan. When called upon at this critical time, they were not found to be wanting; they rose to the occasion.”

He added: “I have received several congratulatory messages on how Kenya is now a great country. It has become a model worth emulating.” His speech did not take long. After he was done, the party continued late into the night.

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