David Okuta Osiany was a great man. Indeed, from his physique,
terming him as big was an understatement. His greatness went further. As a
great leader, Okuta led the Kenya National Union of Teachers, KNUT, from strength
to strength. Telling from his burial ceremony today, Okuta’s significance trailed
him even to his death.
Whoever decided that President Uhuru Kenyatta, and his
entourage, should attend the burial of the late Okuta in Nyando, did an honorable
thing. Better yet, Kenyatta’s attendance exemplifies his commitment to taking
the country forward. The behavior of the President and Mr. Raila Odinga, Kenyatta’s
main challenger and petitioner in the just concluded general elections, holds
great importance if the country to move forward. Okuta’s burial provided the
right opportunity.
Mourners in attendance did not disappoint. Dramas were
trivial. The coordination of the event by Jack Ranguma, the Governor, Kisumu
County, was great. He owned that the President’s coming to the county was a
great honor. Other leaders who spoke were plain in their heaping praises the
fallen Okuta, and the President. Nevertheless, the demeanor of Odinga and the
message of the President carried the day.
Odinga, who spoke largely in Dholuo, urged the obviously
charged mourners to remain peaceful. He recognized President Kenyatta and urged
the mourners not to labor appropriating titles for him.
“I am Raila Amollo Odinga,” he said, sending the crowd of
mourners ululating.
To me, this admittance is crucial as it shows that the
former Prime Minister is ready to move on. Thus, the message to the residents
of Nyando, Nyanza, and the country at large was that it was time to leave
elections behind, the outcomes notwithstanding.
When it was the President turn, he recognized the important
role Okuta played in fighting for the welfare of teachers, before promising that
his government would ensure the furtherance of Okuta’s ideals. Importantly, the
President was categorical that his government would work with all and sundry.
He termed Odinga as his brother.
Such sentiments are pivotal in thawing any bad blood the
people of Nyando, and indeed the country at large, could have had towards the
new government. I am certain that scores
of those in attendance changed the way they perceived Kenyatta. This is
especially following cordial gestures where the President sat next to Odinga,
with only a coffee table separating them. Even more conspicuous was the spectacle in
which the duo marched hand-in-hand through the red carpet to the graveyard.
David Okuta Osiany may be dead now, but his greatness reverberates
nevertheless. His burial was a great forum for auctioning the reconciliation
and development agendas. May his soul rest in
peace.
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