People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has spoken out against what she termed as deliberate exclusion of opposition figures from participating in the late Raila Odinga’s burial ceremony, accusing organizers of silencing dissenting voices within the political class.
Speaking on Spice FM on Tuesday, Karua lamented that the ceremony failed to capture the spirit of inclusivity that Raila embodied, saying only selected leaders were allowed to speak.
“Those of us known for our divergent opinions were not welcome,” she said. “So they decided to call only one, His Excellency Kalonzo Musyoka, under the banner that he is a former Vice President.”
Karua, who served as Raila Odinga’s running mate in the 2022 presidential election, expressed disappointment that despite her close political association with the late opposition leader, she was denied a chance to address mourners.
“The entire country mourned Raila. Yes, his party worked with him. We too worked with him. I was his running mate and we have been in Parliament together for 20 years,” she stated.
According to Karua, allowing representatives from across the opposition spectrum would have better reflected Raila’s national stature and long-standing commitment to unity and democracy.
“You could let other people speak; it didn’t even have to be me. Get one or two from the Opposition brigade. But it would have made sense to give me time as his running mate,” she added.
Karua went on to question the nature of the event, suggesting it was used to advance political interests rather than to honor the late ODM leader.
“Was it a ceremony to endorse a union or was it the burial of the Right Honourable Raila Odinga?” she posed. “That is why there was no room for divergent opinions.”
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