CORD leader Raila Odinga has been advised to shake off sycophants to improve his chances of ascending to the presidency in 2017.
Church leaders and Luo elders openly criticised a section of CORD MPs, questioning their stand and contributions in the National Assembly and the Senate and warned Raila that he needed better performers to check Jubilee administration.
Maseno South Anglican Bishop Mwayi Abiero set the ball rolling when he urged leaders to be true to themselves, to stand against corruption, stay principled and exemplify selfless leadership.
"We can achieve a better country when leaders set examples of selfless leadership, stand firm against corruption and defend the Constitution," Bishop Abiero said during the funeral of former Cabinet Minister Wilson Ndolo Ayah at the weekend in Kitambo village, Seme Constituency, Kisumu County.
Elders and the clergy hit out at the crop of Luo MPs arguing that they had abandoned Raila, thereby exposing him to attacks by politicians from the Jubilee coalition.
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A retired Anglican cleric, the Rev Canon Hezron Aduogo, said Raila lacked lieutenants who were good enough like those of his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga who stood for the country, paid the price for freedom and campaigned against tribalism and corruption.
"I feel like switching off my TV whenever I see MPs open their mouths. There is no content worth listening to. It is always campaigns for better personal emoluments and filling their stomachs at the expense of wananchi! With such leaders, it is difficult to change this Kenya. You must re-examine the quality of MPs," Aduogo said.
Former Cabinet Minister Onyango Midika, who addressed mourners, said during his heyday as MP, the "seven bearded sisters" stood for the nationalistic values and questioned wrongs even at the height Kanu rule. The derogatory phrase was coined by the then Constitutional Affairs minister Charles Njonjo to refer Koigi Wamwere, Onyango Midika, James Orengo, George Anyona, Abuya Abuya, Lawrence Sifuna, Mashengu Wa Mwachofi and Chibule Wa Tsuma.
"We must salvage the national leadership. If these young leaders cannot do it, I am ready to return to the fold and show the way one more time," Midika said.
Elder Odungi Randa recounted how Jaramogi thrived in the political terrain with lieutenants like Agrwings Kodhek, the late Ndolo Ayah, James Orengo, Anyang' Nyong'o, the late Oki Ooko-Ombaka among others.
The funeral was attended by Raila, Governor Jack Ranguma, Senators Orengo, Zipporah Kittony, Nyong'o, MPs Fred Outa, James Nyikal, Rose Nyamunga, Aduma Owuor, vice chancellors Julius Nyabundi (Maseno University) and Francis Aduol of Technical University of Nairobi.
Orengo reminded mourners that the late Ayah was a principled politician whose strengths and bravery demonstrated his exemplary leadership.
"We want brave MPs who can defend the country and the constitution. Raila cannot be fighting alone when he has weak lieutenants. We need fearless leaders who can face those in power and question corrupt deals," Orengo said.
Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo said he was humbled by the criticism and urged his colleagues to up their game at the national arena.
"We have been stung by the truth and warned against just talking at opportunistic gatherings in the villages and funerals. But that aside, we must remind President Uhuru that we will defend our territorial integrity and secure Migingo Island," Jakoyo said.
But Raila chose not to respond to the criticism and instead eulogised Ayah as an astute politician who stood by his father Jaramogi.
