Political speeches at Shikuku's burial

Written By:Carol Gakii/ Margaret Kalekye,    Posted: Sat, Sep 01, 2012

The late Shikuku died of cancer two weeks ago Veteran politician Joseph Martin Shikuku was Saturday laid to rest at his farm in Kiminini in Trans Nzoia County. Political leaders who were at the burial ignored Shikuku's wishes and went ahead to make political statements that focused on the political rivarly between Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his deputy Musalia Mudavadi who were both at the ceremony. Shikuku was buried in a grave he prepared himself 8 years ago. He had also said no religious rites should be practiced at his funeral. The politicians eulogised the late Shikuku as a visionary leader who always championed for the rights of the poor both inside and outside Parliament. Speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Marende called on the PM  and his deputy to tone down their political differences. Marende called on the two leaders to use what he referred as "friendly fire" saying that he will continue to act as the two leader's arbitrator. He asked the two leaders to put the interests of the country ahead of their political differences. Raila told the gathering that he has the interest of Kenyans at heart adding that he aspires to be a president of all Kenyans regardless of their ethnic background. Mudavadi on the other hand called for tolerance between politicians seeking presidency. Those present include Ministers Eugene Wamalwa, James Orengo, Noah Wekesa, Otieno Kajwang, Anyang Nyong'o, Henry Kosgey and several MPs. They all drummed up support for their Presidential candidates. They further  called on Kenyans to maintain peace ahead of the 2013 general elections noting that as a country we should learn from past mistakes and ensure peace prevails before and after the polls. They called on all aspirants to preach peace and conduct mature campaigns. Shikuku succumbed to prostate cancer at Texas Cancer Centre in Nairobi last week. The self declared people's watchman was elected as Butere's Member of Parliament in 1963. Shikuku was detained several times by the KANU regime for being critical of the government as he championed for the rights of the poor.