Raila praises Kibaki style of leadership

Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Sunday praised President Kibaki’s leadership style, saying, he had lived up to his promises.

Mr Odinga said unlike the previous leaders that thrived on empty promises, President Kibaki was practical in his leadership because all development activities are initiated and accomplished.

“These days, we do not witness situations where residents plead with the President to bring developments in an area only for him to consent but nothing is done,” Mr Odinga said.

President Kibaki and Mr Odinga expressed their appreciation for leaders who preached peace and unity.

The two were speaking during the burial of Mzee Ojode Otieno, the father of Internal security assistant minister Orwa Ojodeh, at Ratang’a Village in Kwabwai Central Location in Ndhiwa District.

Earlier, President Kibaki while addressing a big crowd at Ndhiwa market reiterated the governments’ position that both Migingo and Ugingo Island in Lake Victoria belonged to Kenya.

Mr Odinga added that the government has instituted a ministerial team comprising Prof George Saitoti (Internal Security and Provincial Administration, and acting Foreign minister), James Orengo (Lands) and Otieno Kajwang’ (Immigration) to resume talks with their Ugandan counterparts on the status of the two islands.

The President’s comments had been triggered by remarks by Mr Orengo who had expressed disappointment that despite the President’s Madaraka Day pronouncements, Ugandan security officers still occupied the two islands.

Mr Orengo and Mr Kajwang’ led a host of MPs from Nyanza in thanking President Kibaki for having initiated development within Nyanza — views Mr Odinga supported when he addressed the mourners.

Mr Kajwang’ cited the key roads that have either been built or are ongoing such as the Rongo-Homabay, Rodi Sori, Kendu Bay-Homabay and Mbita-Homabay roads.

Mr Orengo asked President Kibaki to restrain PNU leaders from publicly vilifying Mr Odinga.

“We in ODM respect you as the President of Kenya and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and at no time have we publicly ridiculed you or talked ill of you in public,” Mr Orengo said.

The Ugenya MP said PNU MPs should show respect to the PM as a coalition government partner.

Speaking at the function, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Information Minister Samuel Poghisio and Prof Saitoti also appealed for unity within the government.

Mr Ojodeh thanked the President for ordering the tarmacking of Magina Pala Road and for upgrading Mirogi Boys into a constituent University of Maseno.

Earlier, various high ranking government officials arrived in style with a total of seven helicopters and several limousines bringing dignitaries to the burial ceremony.

The function attracted political bigwigs from ODM and PNU who included Eldoret North MP William Ruto.

However, Mr Ruto, Mr Poghisio and Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo left the function before the two principals could address the gathering.

Others in attendance were assistant ministers Oburu Oginga, Richard Onyonka, Simon Lesrima, Ferdinand Waititu, Ayiecho Olweny, James Gesami, Yusuf Chanzu and Kambi Kazungu.

MPs included Joseph Magwanga, John Mbadi, Edwin Yinda, Martin Ogindo, William Kabogo, Jamleck Kamau, Millie Odhiambo, Fred Outa and John Pesa.

Also present were permanent secretary Internal Security Francis Kimemia, Commissioner of Police Mathew Iteere and Administration Police Commandant Kinuthia Mbugua.