A PRESIDENT TO LIFT A COFFIN OF THE DEAD? UHURU KENYATTA IS DIFFERENT

Uhuru, Kibaki and Raila at the burial of Dr Njoroge Mungai - See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-186510/uhuru-kibaki-and-raila-burial-dr-njoroge-mungai#sthash.zWjhyABo.dpuf

Uhuru, Kibaki and Raila at the burial of Dr Njoroge Mungai - See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-186510/uhuru-kibaki-and-raila-burial-dr-njoroge-mungai#sthash.zWjhyABo.dpuf

Uhuru, Kibaki and Raila at the burial of Dr Njoroge Mungai - See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-186510/uhuru-kibaki-and-raila-burial-dr-njoroge-mungai#sthash.zWjhyABo.dpuf

Political foes on Tuesday met during a memorial service of Dr. Magana Njoroge Mungai at PCEA Church of the Torch in Kikuyu.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, his predecessor Mwai Kibaki and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga were united in paying their last respect to one of the country’s iconic leaders.

Dr. Mungai who passed on at the age of 88 was a former liberation hero, cabinet minister and nationalist who contributed immensely to the independence struggle and development of Kenya.

Eulogising the late Dr. Mungai, Kenyatta said the legendary leader, together with other founding fathers, laid down a firm foundation which all Kenyans are proud of.

“There is one thing we can learn from them, that sacrifice, commitment, dedication in service are key to success.”

Kenyatta reiterated his call to all leaders to stop political wrangles, saying : “ We don’t need to waste time quarrelling, fighting each other but rather we need to pull together and take Kenya to greater heights of development.”

The President told all leaders and especially CORD leader , Raila Odinga, that he is ready and willing to partner with all Kenyans and build a strong nation to bequeath the future generation a more prosperous and stable country they can all be proud of.

He challenged Kenyans to emulate the founding fathers who were ready to sacrifice personal comfort and gains for the success of this nation.

“I think today it is not very possible to get men and women committed to service. Most people would prefer financial gains more than serving their motherland; we need to change this kind of attitude,” Kenyatta said.

“To me personally, Dr. Mungai was a father. He has been a true mentor in life and politics,” Kenyatta said.

Immediate former President Mwai Kibaki called on leaders to avoid wasting time bickering unnecessarily and spend more time in serving Kenyans for the betterment of the country.

“Let us not waste a lot of time quarrelling amongst ourselves. There is too much quarrelling amongst us which adds no value to Kenya,” said Kibaki.

He added: “ We should emulate people like Njoroge Mungai who spent much of their time serving people and making our country what it is today.”

Kibaki recalled with nostalgia the independence days when the late Dr. Mungai and others returned to Kenya to explain to their compatriots the importance of self rule.

“Those of us who stayed with Dr. Mungai for some time remember him for what he was. He played a key role in the liberation of this country; he took time to explain to us the importance of being independent and why we could not continue with the colonial system,” said Kibaki.

Former Prime Raila Odinga said the late Dr. Mungai was born and raised at a very difficult and challenging period and yet he managed to contribute immensely to the well being of the nation.

He said the late Dr. Mungai’s contribution has greatly impacted the nation positively and Kenyans should strive to emulate him.

- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-186510/uhuru-kibaki-and-raila-burial-dr-njoroge-mungai#sthash.zWjhyABo.dpuf

Uhuru Kenyatta says ready to work with Raila Odinga

The President, Mr Odinga and former President Mwai Kibaki met during a funeral mass for a former

President Uhuru Kenyatta greets former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on arrival for the burial service of the late Dr. Magana Njoroge Mungai at PCEA Church of the Torch Kikuyu, Kiambu County. PHOTO | PSCU

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President Uhuru Kenyatta Tuesday told Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) leader Raila Odinga that he was ready to work with him.

President Kenyatta said Kenya needs development and he is ready to work with Mr Odinga to achieve this.

After months of public squabbling between Jubilee and Cord over issues ranging from whether leaders should talk to each other, need for referendum, public appointments and insecurity among other issues, President Kenyatta termed this as unnecessary.

The President, Mr Odinga and former President Mwai Kibaki met during a funeral mass for a former Cabinet Minister Dr Njoroge Mungai at Thogoto PCEA church in Kikuyu, Kiambu County.

Dr Mungai was in former President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s Cabinet.

The matter of leaders squabbling was initiated by Mr Kibaki who said they should come together and develop the country.

Mr Odinga steered clear of politics during his speech delivered before President Kenyatta spoke.

The President said there was no time for squabbles and unnecessary fights among leaders, saying that leaders should work together.

“I can see my brother Raila here and I can assure him that I have no problem, I look forward to working with him and I believe that is what Kenyan people want of us. To pull together like past leaders,” the President said.

The sentiments appeared to refer to the ongoing squabbles between Jubilee leaders and Cord leaders over calls for referendum.

Mr Odinga and his Cord alliance brigade are spearheading the referendum while President Kenyatta and his team have opposed it, saying it’s ill-timed and a waste of public recourses, leading the headed political fights.

Mr Odinga kept off politics and instead concentrated on praising Dr Mungai who he said played key roles in education, politics and entrepreneurship as well as the fight for education.

'TOO MUCH QUARRELLING'

Former president Mwai Kibaki said leaders should shun squabbles and instead focus on improving development in the country.

“There is too much quarrelling between ourselves but let us respect the life of Dr Mungai by making Kenya prosperous because fighting among yourselves, you will not achieve much by quarrelling,” Mr Kibaki said.

The former president praised the leadership of his successor, saying he was confident that President Kenyatta would deliver results as he had spearheaded many development projects for the short time he had been in office.

Former Gatundu MP Ngengi Muigai said leaders who were in high schools in the 60s should let the young generation which he referred to as Jubilee to lead.

He asked President Kenyatta not to accept any form of power sharing.

“They overcame internal and external forces to get to leadership. We are sure you will achieve the dreams you have for this country and I have no doubts will take this nation higher,” he said, adding that it’s not the time Kenyans are being warned that choices have consequences.

"We lived together along Ngong road, and people used to come there to discuss how and why the country should get independence and it was really exciting to hear Dr Mungai and others say 'as a country we require this independence’."

Other leaders who were present, including Cabinet Secretaries, were not allowed to speak.

Also present were Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, Senator Kimani Wamatangi, Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu), Paul Koinange (Kiambaa) John Kirangu (Limuru), Moses Ole Sakunda, Moses Kuria (Gatundu South)

After the service, the body of Dr Mungai, who died after a short illness, was ferried to Langata for cremation.