When Kenyans gathered at Nyayo National Stadium on Friday to bid farewell to Raila Odinga, the atmosphere was filled with emotion, pride, and sorrow.
Thousands of mourners, dignitaries, and leaders came together to honour a man many regarded as the symbol of democracy and resilience. But amid the solemn tributes, a political storm quietly brewed, and it is now the talk of the nation.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and People’s Liberation Party boss Martha Karua were both denied a chance to speak during the state funeral.
The two leaders, known for their long political partnership with the late former Prime Minister, were noticeably left out of the speakers’ list.
The master of the ceremony, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, controlled who took to the podium, and only President William Ruto and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta got a chance to address the nation.
The move sparked outrage from a section of leaders and political commentators who felt the exclusion was a show of disrespect to Odinga’s closest allies. Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa was among the first to voice his disappointment.
He said it was not a good show to deny Kalonzo and Karua an opportunity to eulogise their closest political ally, arguing that both had been closer to the departed ODM leader than anyone who spoke.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei came out guns blazing, saying Kalonzo should be the last person to complain about being denied a chance to speak. Taking to his X account on Saturday, October 18, Cherargei argued that Kalonzo has no moral ground to complain, accusing him of political betrayal in the past.
He revisited the events of the 2007 general election, claiming that at a time when Raila was close to clinching the presidency, Kalonzo turned against him by running for the top seat and later aligning himself with then-President Mwai Kibaki’s camp.
“Kalonzo should be the last to complain that he was denied the chance to eulogise Jakom Raila yesterday at the state funeral service. He should be reminded in 2007, when Raila was a heartbeat away from the presidency, he betrayed him by running against him and supporting the illegitimate win of Kibaki that plunged the country into the 2007/08 post-election violence (PV), while President Ruto stood with Raila until he became the 2nd prime minister of Kenya,” Chearargei stated.
Political analyst Herman Manyora also joined the debate, describing the snub as a national embarrassment.
“Not giving Kalonzo Musyoka time to speak was an act of national shame that must be condemned by all Kenyans. Kalonzo’s support for Raila, to the point of sacrifice, is unmatched. Let no one say there wasn’t time because Kindiki himself squandered so much time saying nothing.”
