Moi, Raila meet in church but steer clear of politics
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Updated 2 hrs 6 mins
ago
By
Beauttah Omanga
In a rare encounter,
Prime Minister Raila Odinga joined retired President Daniel Moi at a church
service at Kabarak University chapel.
The PM steered clear of
politics inside and outside the church on the request of the former Head of
State, as he wound up his tour of Nakuru and Baringo counties.
Raila said he and his entourage chose to
worship with the Kabarak community because they were holding their campaign
meetings in the area.
“Because we were around here, we decided to join you for the
church service so that we can worship together,” a jovial Raila told the
congregation, composed mainly of university students.
The two leaders consulted animatedly before Moi introduced Raila
and asked him to greet the church faithful.
He, however, asked Raila not to speak politics because the
majority congregants were young pupils.
After the sermon, the two leaders walked side by side to their
vehicles parked at the institution’s administration block as they chatted.
After a brief chat next to their cars, Moi bid Raila bye and
remained behind to exchange greetings with Raila’s allies.
Among them was Lands Minister James Orengo, once his fiercest
critic when he was in power.
The PM left for a rally at Eldama Ravine township in Baringo
County.
“I bring you greetings from retired President Moi whom I met at a
church function before I came here,” Raila told the gathering before the
meeting was cut short by a heavy downpour.
Raila has in the past said he has no hard feelings against Moi
even though the former President’s allies have argued that were it not for
Raila leading a rebellion in 2002, Kanu might not have lost the presidency to
the Narc Rainbow Coalition.
On Sunday, the PM said all Kenyans should
unite and work together irrespective of their past differences.
Addressing the Kabarak congregation, Moi said aspirants for the
presidency should be free to crisscross the country for votes, and asked
Kenyans to accord them ample reception.
“A vote is your right and how you vote is your right. Don’t
intimidate anybody as they ask for your vote. Let them come and say what they
want to say, but it’s your right to vote whichever way you want. There is no
need to hate one another, “ urged Moi.
The former President said those who know the
tenets of democracy should not feel agitated whenever other leaders go out
looking for votes. He said he was aware the PM was seeking for votes in Rift
Valley, and that just like other presidential aspirants he was free to talk to
Kenyans.
praised moi
The PM praised the former Head of State, describing him as a
nationalist who contributed a lot during his regime and even into his
retirement.
“Mzee Moi we appreciate your contribution to the country when you
were in power and even now in retirement I am proud of what you did. You are
still giving many hopeless Kenyans a lot of hope even long after you retired as
President,” said Raila.
The PM, who was accompanied by several ODM Cabinet ministers, MPs
and wife Ida said Moi’s decision to donate 1,000 acres of his land to learning
institutions was a milestone in offering young Kenyans a chance to acquire
quality education and spiritual nourishment.
“The institutions are bringing up young Kenyans who know no tribe
because they grow up knowing themselves as nationalists besides being
spiritually upright,” said Raila.
He said under the new Constitution, it was now mandatory for all
Kenyan children to acquire quality education as a right.
Raila arrived at Kabarak grounds where he found Moi already seated
for the service.
The two leaders were seen animatedly consulting each other at
various stages of the service, which was led by Rev Paul Ombati.
Raila and Ida said they were pleased to worship at the institution
together with the retired President.
There was heavy security as police officers
led by Nakuru OCPD Johnstone Ipara kept vigil.
Ministers Orengo, Amason Kingi, William ole Ntimama, Fred Gumo,
Musa Sirma and Assistant Ministers Magerer Langat, Manson Nyamweya and Beatrice
Kones accompanied Raila alongside several MPs led by Tinderet’s Henry Kosgey.
During the service attended by the entire Kabarak community, Raila
introduced Mr Kosgey who has been on suspension as a Cabinet minister.
Kosgey has been out of the Cabinet over the
charges at the ICC that were dropped and a court case at the High Court, which
he won. The move might be a hint that Raila intends to return Kosgey to the
Cabinet when the next reshuffle takes place soon.
Speaking later in Eldama Ravine, Raila said Eldoret North MP
Wiliam Ruto should not be entrusted with the country’s leadership under a new
Constitution that he opposed.
“Kenyans will realise the real fruits of the new Constitution
after the General Election and they can only fully feel the positive impact if
they elect somebody who believes in the new supreme law. Never entrust its
implementation in the hands of somebody who opposed it,” said Raila in an
apparent reference to Ruto.
He said a majority of Kenyans were in ODM and called on the
Kalenjin community to remain in the party where he said their hopes were.
“Don’t be misled into joining tribal parties. ODM is a national
party which all of you should embrace and remain in as we preparer to win the
next polls as a team,” said the PM.
Leaders from Rift Valley led by Mr Ntimama and Mr Sirma cautioned
members of the Kalenjin community against abandoning ODM for URP, saying Ruto’s
campaign was doomed. “Ruto should not cheat anybody including the Kalenjins
that he can deliver the presidency. Opinion polls have for five consecutive
years projected a Raila victory, while Ruto comes a distant seventh. Why should
you think of wasting your votes instead of joining the highly rated Raila,”
asked Ntimama.
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