[Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta in a past event. They will after all not share podium in Kitui despite earlier reports that Uhuru was to attend Francis Nyenze’s funeral. Photo/Nation]
Despite earlier indications that President Uhuru Kenyatta was to share podium with opposition leader Raila Odinga at Kitui for the burial of Francis Nyenze, the head of state will after all skip the event, reports Citizen Digital.
Instead, Uhuru will deploy Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko, who will however be flanked by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Daule.
Also, Kalonzo Musyoka, the Wiper leader, will miss the event after failing to book for an early evening flight from Germany where he is attending to his ailing wife, Pauline.
With Nyenze having sometimes declared his support publicly for Uhuru, pundits had predicted possible appearance for Kenyatta, who has a soft spot on the deceased Kitui West MP.
Since the controversial August poll, the two leaders have only shared podium once during the centurion celebrations of All-Saints Cathedral in Nairobi.
In most of his rallies, Odinga has vowed to take a presidential oath based on August results, a move that has been challenged with possible prosecution for treason by AG Githu Muigai.
Western envoys led by US ambassador Robert Godec have been pushing for dialogue, which Raila maintains that must resolve the outstanding 'electoral injustice in Kenya.
Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu is expected to play host to hundreds of politicians among them Odinga, who have confirmed attendance in the burial.