The ugly scenes witnessed during the celebrations on Thursday marking the first anniversary of the death of ODM leader Raila Odinga have desecrated the memory of a great man. It was also quite disgraceful for the family of the veteran politician and former Prime Minister, associates, and others who turned up for the occasion in his Siaya County backyard.
It was, indeed, a day of shame, as has been pointed out by the observers of the ignominy that marred what had been expected to be a great event. The solemn moment quickly descended into chaos, with supporters of rival political factions engaging in mayhem. Some rowdy youths even pelted the VIP tent with stones.
Security personnel had to use plastic chairs to shield the dignitaries from harm. The hooligans ignored appeals by Raila’s widow, Ida Odinga, and her family to shun partisan politics and maintain peace during the remembrance.
Instead, what was meant to be a sombre ceremony in remembrance of a man who for several decades relentlessly fought for democracy and human rights descended into a supremacy battle between the rival factions in ODM, the party he founded and led for more than two decades.
Remembering Raila, who was a national figure, should never be reduced to a partisan or ODM affair. His first death anniversary celebration was meant to be a solemn occasion that should have been used to unite Kenyans from all shades of the political spectrum.
It is, however, gratifying that some really heartwarming tributes were paid to one of the pillars of the country’s democratisation, a man who played a key role in the struggle that culminated in the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.
Raila’s legacy is about respect and dignity, and not the mayhem that was witnessed in broad daylight. Honouring this great politician can only be complete by preserving and practising the democratic, institutional, and social values he championed throughout his life.
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