KKK tag sparks exchange of words between Raila, Kalonzo

By PATRICK MURIUNGIPrime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka exchanged words over the controversial KKK alliance when they met in Meru.
The issue cropped up at a burial ceremony in Tharaka where the VP challenged Raila to stop using the term KKK to portray some politicians and communities negatively.
Kalonzo sent mourners into stitches when he said the only KKK he believes in was Kura Kwa Kalonzo (Vote for Kalonzo).

Prime Minister Raila Odinga with Vice president Kalonzo Musyoka during the burial of the late former MP for Tharaka James Njeru Gituriandu at his Kamwanki home in Tharaka South District ON Sunday. [PHOTO: MPPS]

But in a sharp rejoinder, Raila who was the last to speak at the burial ceremony of former Assistant Minister and first MP for Tharaka Mr James Njeru Gituriandu asked those who started the KKK debate to carry their own cross.
The PM asked those who coined the KKK acronym to apologise to Kenyans, and seek forgiveness, instead of bothering the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
Raila said the country needs only one letter ‘K’, which stands for Kenya, and urged proponents of the KKK tag to abandon it.
The PM urged Kenyans to embrace the decentralised Government, as contained in the new Constitution, saying it will bring about development in the country.
He said the Government is committed to addressing the problems of residents in Tharaka, citing the acute water shortage facing residents in the area.
Raila said it is time Kenyans work together in implementing the new constitution, noting that the management of land will be under the counties.
Elective postsHe urged women to take a leading role in elective posts, which have been created at the county, level as entrenched in the new Constitution.
The PM said there is no need for leaders to fight over the headquarters of counties and instead urged them to solve such issues amicably. "There is no need for leaders to sort out problems emanating from county headquarters. Leaders should be at the forefront in solving such issues amicably,’’ he said.
Early this year, Musyoka and Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta wrote to NCIC to protest against being labeled tribalists by Raila. They urged the commission to stop anyone from linking them to KKK.
End the debate"Those who started it should apologise to Kenyans halafu hiyo maneno iishe (to end the debate)," said Raila.
The KKK debate began in 2009 at Burnt Forest, when three MPs Kareke Mbiuki, Simon Mbugua and Joshua Kuttuny claimed that Kalonzo, deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto would unite their Kamba, Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities to take power in the 2012 presidential elections.
Raila has since then gone around the country, telling Kenyans to reject KKK leaders because they are tribalists out to divide Kenyans.
On their part, Uhuru, Ruto and Kalonzo have dismissed Raila’s claim that they are pushing for the KKK alliance.
"Someone is going around claiming that we are in KKK. What are they going to say now that we are in Bungoma uniting people?" asked Uhuru when he attended a rally in the town hosted by Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa on Saturday.
Yesterday, Raila eulogised the late Njeru as a hero, patriot, visionary and courageous leader who was a great friend of his father.
Raila revealed China would soon embark on the construction of a 500 MW power plant on the River Tana.
But he said he would ensure the project incorporates water supply to the locals, adding he would take up the matter with the Water minister.
He at the same time warned the contractor tarmacking the Marimanti-Meru road against doing a shoddy job, and urged that specifications be followed to the letter.
Full potentialRaila told the locals the Government would ensure Tharaka realised its full potential in agriculture, and urged residents to diversify and enhance growing of sorghum, as there is market with the East African Breweries Limited.
Present at the function were the PM’s wife Ida Odinga, Co-operative Development Minister Joseph Nyagah, MPs Mburi Muiru (Tharaka), Martha Karua (Gichugu) and Emillio Gathuri (Manyatta) as well as former Assistant Minister Petkay Miriti and NCIC Chairman Mzalendo Kibunjia.
Addressing the same meeting, Kalonzo urged legislators to work together for speedy implementation of the new Constitution.
The VP said this would help in the fight against corruption and impunity in the country.
He reiterated the Government’s commitment to fast tracking the implementation of the new constitution, and urged the legislators to work together in ensuring the implementation of the new laws.
"With the implementation of the new Constitution, corruption and impunity among other vices will be firmly dealt with in this country,’’ said Kalonzo.
Kalonzo said it is time for leaders to lead the fight against negative ethnicity by desisting from issuing statements that can create tension.
Not failed"This is time for national healing and reconciliation,’’ he added.
The VP claimed Kenya had not failed in its bid for deferral of International Criminal Court cases back into the country, because the session was informal.
"What happened in New York was just an informal consultation. To say that Kenya has failed in its deferral bid to have its cases back to the country is not correct,’’ he said.
Nyagah said there was need for leaders to forget their political differences and work for the good of the people of Kenya.
Speaker after speaker called on the country’s top leadership to unite Kenyans for the sake of peace and stability.
— Additional reporting by PMPS/VPPS