Thousands bid farewell to John Michuki

Political leaders briefly forgot their rivalry when they converged to pay their last respects to the late Environment minister John Michuki who was buried at his Kangema home on Tuesday.

And President Mwai Kibaki, whose term expires at the end of the year, called on leaders to unite saying they stand to achieve much more if they were together.

In a message seen as meant for the G7 Alliance leaders attending the funeral, the President called on leaders to cooperate. (READ: Michuki's final send off)

The President said the country belonged to all Kenyans and just as leaders were united in eulogising the late minister, they should display the same spirit by cooperating.

“I am happy to attend ceremonies because the leaders speak so well. They should continue like that as Kenya belongs to all of us,” the President said during the funeral service at the General Kago stadium, Kangema constituency.

G7 leaders led by Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Saboti Eugene Wamalwa were also there.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his deputy Musalia Mudavadi led 14 ministers and scores of MPs who attended the funeral.

More than 30,000 people were also at the service, which was led by the Nyeri Diocese Archbishop Peter Kairo. (SEE IN PICTURES: John Michuki laid to rest)

At the same time, the President, who did not read the speech prepared for him but spoke off the cuff, called on leaders to be principled and stick to what they believed in just like the late minister.

He caused laughter when he cautioned unprincipled leaders who change positions when it suits them that they risk becoming the country’s laughing stock.

“Although the people will never tell you, they will talk about it in your absence since they cannot say anything in your presence “, the President said amid laughter from the crowd.

He eulogised the late MP whom he said he had known for a long time as a hard worker who stood for what he believed in.

He praised the late minister for showing exemplary leadership both to his family and the constituency saying he was able to achieve successes in both areas unlike some leaders who only concentrate on their ministerial portfolio and forget everything else.

Archbishop Kairo called on politicians to use the power God had given them to unite the people and not divide them with their utterances.

Former President Daniel Moi who was wildly cheered by the crowd, caused laughter when he said he would not be happy if he went to heaven and found President Kibaki was not there.

The former president called on the late minister’s wife Josephine to ask God for strength and comfort.

His words were reiterated by the Prime Minister Odinga while the VP termed the late Michuki as a true friend of President Kibaki.

National Assembly speaker Kenneth Marende called on leaders to love one another and emulate the deceased.