NASA leader Raila Odinga has told Kenyans not to judge him and President Uhuru Kenyatta unfairly just because they come from prominent families.
“ There is no dynasty, because the people struggle all on their own,” said Raila
Speaking during a memorial service of the former chairperson of the Maendeleo ya Wanawake organisation Jane Kiano in Karen, Raila said that they have worked hard to be where they are today terming the dynasty tag on them as unfair.
” You cannot now say Uhuru is a part of a dynasty….Jomo Kenyatta was just a pauper before he fought to be where he got; I am not part of any dynasty either. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was just a pauper; you could say he was a hustler.”
Succession politics: ODM leader Raila Odinga says President Uhuru and himself self-made politicians, not products of dynasties. https://t.co/Wt6Y6oO2ta#GetTheWholeStory pic.twitter.com/utrupGzCPD
— KTN News Alerts (@KTNNewsKE) November 2, 2018
” Raila is Raila the way he is and Uhuru is who he is because of himself, so you can’t divorce us on claims we come from dynasties,” he added.
The late Jane Kiano was eulogized as having made tremendous contribution to women’s development in the country.
President Uhuru Kenyatta told mourners how the deceased fought the fight for women not because of glory or wealth but because it was the right thing to do.
President @UKenyatta arrives at ACK St. Francis Church, Karen for the memorial service of former Maendeleo ya Wanawake Chair, the late Jane Kiano | @WilliamsRuto @FirstLadyKenya @RailaOdinga pic.twitter.com/Q3MI00h42y
— State House Kenya (@StateHouseKenya) November 2, 2018
“ We have started the process of recognizing women who have greatly contributed to the development of this country and we need to celebrate them when they are still alive,” said President Kenyatta.
Mrs. Kiano died at the age of 74 at the Nairobi Hospital on October 25,2018 after a long battle with lung cancer.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto and Raila Odinga are among leaders who have eulogized former Maendeleo Ya Wanawake chairperson Dr Jane Kiano at a funeral mass that is currently underway at the St Francis Anglican Church in Karen #KTNNewsDesk pic.twitter.com/pAHdgl1LFy
— ktn (@KTNKenya) November 2, 2018
Mrs. Jane Kiano was one of the founders of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
She had previously been awarded the Elder of the Burning Spear Award in 1979.
She was widow of the late former Cabinet Minister Julius Gikonyo Kiano and is survived by two daughters: Joy and Wanja.