Photo/JACOB OWITI /NATION
Prime Minister Raila Odinga (left) greets Eldoret North MP William Ruto
during the funeral of former deputy governor of the Central Bank of
Kenya Dr Hezron Nyangito at Borangi Primary School, Kisii on November
18, 2011. Mr Odinga said he was optimistic he would win the 2012 polls.
By SATURDAY NATION newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Friday, November 18 2011 at 22:30
Posted Friday, November 18 2011 at 22:30
Three leading presidential aspirants on Friday came
face to face at a funeral in Kisii and promised to ensure the next
elections are peaceful.
Tension was evident as Prime Minister Raila Odinga,
Deputy PM Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto shared a
dais at Borangi SDA Primary School during the burial of former Central
Bank of Kenya deputy governor Hezron Nyangito. (READ: Central Bank boss staff hardly knew)
Mr Odinga was the first to arrive at the venue followed closely by Mr Kenyatta. Five minutes later, Mr Ruto arrived.
The PM and Mr Kenyatta, who sat next to each other, shook hands and chatted happily.
Faces of Mr Odinga and Mr Ruto were however
expressionless as they shook hands before the Eldoret North MP proceeded
to sit a few chairs away from the PM. (READ: Is it goodbye for Raila and Ruto?)
Mr Odinga expressed confidence that he will be elected the next president in 2012.
He said that the country will never experience the
post election violence like it did in 2007 as a credible electoral body
has been put in place to manage the polls.
“This time I am going to score. It is not going to
be an offside like the last elections ,” he said as he called for peace
in the country ahead of the polls.
Mr Kenyatta, who sat next to Mr Odinga, only read President
Kibaki’s speech in which the Head of State said the late Nyangito had
left a gap that will be impossible to fill.
Mr Ruto said the Kisii and Kalenjin communities living along the Nyanza-Rift valley border must co-exist peacefully.
“We must forgive each other for past wrongs ,” he
said. Former minister Simeon Nyachae also spoke but steered clear of
politics.
Cabinet ministers Chris Obure, Sam Ongeri and James Orengo were among senior officials who attended the funeral.
Reports by Jackline Moraa, Benson Nyagesiba and Brian Yongah
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