I don’t HATE the Kikuyu Community, it is a LIE from enemies - RAILA

The Kenyan DAILY POSTPolitics23:44

Friday August 3, 2012 - Prime Minister Raila Odinga has dismissed any notion that he has a grudge against the Kikuyu community.

Speaking during his tour of Nyandarua County on Thursday, Raila said the members of the Kikuyu community have been his friends since when he was born and such a notion is propaganda meant to taint his name.

Raila said Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia, Paul Muite and Wanyiri Kihoro are his personal friends and they spend time together, and by insinuating that he is an enemy to Kikuyu community is an outright lie.

During the tour, the Premier said that next year when he will be President, the remains of former freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi, which has been lying in Kamiti Prison for years, would be exhumed and accorded a decent burial.

The PM, who was in a jovial mood, wearing a cowboy hat, announced this at the former home of freedom fighter in Njabini Kinangop. He promised that the home would be turned into a museum as a tribute to the slain freedom hero.

“I have talked to the Minister of National Heritage and funds for this exercise will be provided in remembrance for the work he did,” the PM said.

Raila said he will continue assisting the wife of freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi, Mukami Kimathi since the leaders in the area have neglected her.

“Many at times freedom fighters have been forgotten and I shall continue to assist this home,” he said.

Raila, who is still the most popular candidate in the country, also visited the home of late slain politician JM Kariuki where he promised that the government would construct a mausoleum in honour of the fiery politician who was assassinated by Jomo Kenyatta’s government in 1975.

He announced that the government would renovate JM’s house, which he regretted had been abandoned by family members due to insecurity.

Raila said the home would now be placed under -24 hour police surveillance.

He urged voters in the region to vote for him in the upcoming general elections.

Among those who accompanied the PM were Starehe MP Margret Wanjiru, nominated MP Millie Odhiambo and former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga.

The Kenyan DAILY POST