Last-minute funeral arrangements for former Economic Planning and National Development minister Henry Obwocha inspired Raila Odinga to snub International Youth Day in Kisii which was presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday, it has emerged.

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Instead, Raila had to change his itinerary to fit that of Obwocha's burial, who will be laid to rest on Friday at his Sironga home in a function that will attract hundreds of politicians.

An ODM insider, who was among International Youth Day organisers, said that Raila had to shift his plans to Friday to also enable him attend Obwocha's funeral.

"Since it was not such a formal tour to Gusii and that it involved youths from across the country, Raila had to make changes to his plans. Instead, he will now close the ongoing games at Gusii stadium.

"But even before he presides over the closing ceremony, he will first attend Obwocha's funeral on Friday. That is why he cancelled Sunday's trip despite early indication that he was to be among those to preside over it," said Irene Mayaka, an ODM nominated MCA.

Obwocha, who served as West Mugirango MP from 1992 on Ford Kenya before switching allegiance in 2002 to Ford People, was among the young Turks working under Raila's father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

So close that he was to the old Oginga, that he once told President Daniel Moi that his DNA was too much into Ford Kenya than KANU, remarks which reportedly angered the president.

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