Uhuru heads for Okuta’s burial in Nyando

By MANGOA MOSOTA  and MAUREEN ODIWUOR

Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to make his first visit outside Nairobi.

Kisumu County Commissioner Lornah Odera yesterday confirmed the President would attend the funeral of the late Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary General David Okuta Osiany in Tura Village, Nyando, Kisumu County.

Two weeks ago Okuta, 59, died at a Nairobi hospital, where he had been rushed after developing breathing complications at his Rongai home.

Earlier, Okuta’s son Edwin said his father had been admitted to Aga Khan Hospital for three weeks and was discharged following his doctor’s recommendation.

“After a few hours he developed breathing problems and we had to rush him to the hospital,” said Edwin.

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Okuta died on arrival at Nairobi Women’s Hospital in Rongai. Nyando legislator Fred Outa and the family’s funeral Committee chairman Cosmas Ong’era told The Standard Uhuru is expected at the home at 10am tomorrow.

“He (Uhuru) will be here for the funeral for about four hours,” Mr Outa said yesterday.

He said Uhuru would not tour development projects in Kisumu County, as was earlier expected.

Others expected at the burial include former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Knut leaders Wilson Sossion.

Okuta was instrumental in fighting for the rights of teachers. He assumed office as secretary general of the teachers union in mid-2011.

The former Knut secretary General had been out of office since February, serving his retirement leave.

In December, last year, Okuta was awarded the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear by former President Kibaki during the 49th Jamhuri Day celebrations.

He set up a school, St Agnes Education Centre, which was among the top in last year’s KCPE examinations in Kisumu County.

He leaves behind eight children and two widows.

Thousands of mourners and the teaching fraternity are expected to attend the burial of Okuta at his home in Nyando.

In the speeches Uhuru has made in the past one week, he has emphasized that he will work with all leaders to develop the country, including the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy, whose leader former Prime Minister Raila Odinga he beat in the last presidential election.

Last weekend, Uhuru, Deputy President William Ruto, Raila and former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka met at State House, and discussed, among other issues, the need to move the country forward.