Saturday, June 16, 2012

Follow Saitoti's footsteps, urges Kibaki


Follow Saitoti's footsteps, urges Kibaki

  SHARE BOOKMARKPRINTEMAILRATING
By NATION Reporter
Posted  Saturday, June 16  2012 at  17:35
President Kibaki has urged Kenyans to preach peace as a fitting tribute to the late Internal Security minister George Saitoti.
He told politicians to unite the population and ensure that the next General Election is peaceful.
“Let us say with one voice that we are going to follow those steps he (Saitoti) wanted us to follow,” said President Kibaki during the burial ceremony at Enkasiti village, Kitengela, Kajiado County.
He eulogised the late minister as a “sober leader” who put in the interests of the nation before self.
“As a politician, the late Saitoti was a sober leader who conducted himself with decorum and chose his words carefully.  Let us endeavour to keep the late Professor Saitoti in the national memory, by perpetuating the values he professed.”
Former Ghana President Jerry Rawlings urged the political class to emulate the late Prof Saitoti’s values. He said Kenya’s next president should strive to unite the country.
“If we could imbibe the good manners it would reduce the animosity that is transmitted downwards,” said the former president.
“The death of Professor (Saitoti) has foisted on us a sense of unity.”
Share This Story
Share 
RELATED STORIES
In his eulogy, former President Moi said the late minister was a patriot and a true son of Kenya.
“He cut the figure of a Kenyan patriot in all his duties and could have made a difference especially when people are retreating to their tribal cocoons,” said Mr Moi.
He said the late minister’s leadership qualities were not appreciated
“He was the cornerstone in which the builders ignored,” mourned the former president.
 Prime Minister Raila Odinga said a dedicated public servant who shunned tribalism and his untimely death was “a big blow to Kenya”.
“He was a patriot who did not discriminate against tribes,” said Mr Odinga.
“The people of Kajiado North will miss him. Kenyans will miss him.”
Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka said the late minister’s death was “a disaster to all of us”.
“I was devastated by Saitoti’s death.”
Other who eulogised the late Prof Saitoti included: National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende., acting head of the public service Francis Kimemia, Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi, Lands minister James Orengo, Sally Kosgei (Agriculture), Charity Ngilu (Water) and Heritage minister William Ole Ntimama.
Others were: Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua, PNU secretary general Amos Kimunya, organising secretary Maina Kamanda,  Mandera Central MP Abdikadir Mohammed, William Ruto (Eldoret North) and former Speaker Francis ole Kaparo.

No comments:

Post a Comment