Raila Odinga recalls Otieno Kajwang’s final hour

Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta and CORD leader Raila Odinga led the country in remembering fallen Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ yesterday.

Uhuru called for a moment of silence in honour of Kajwang’ at the 2014 Kenya International Investment Conference at Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi.

Earlier, the President in a condolence message released by State House had said: “ Senator Kajwang’s death is not only a big blow to his family, but also to the people of Homa Bay County and the whole country, which he served with commitment and dedication first as an eloquent debater, a patriot and a nationalist.”

At the Lee Funeral Home yesterday where Kajwang’s body lay, it was evident that Raila was feeling the pain of losing one of his most trusted allies in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) even as he bravely addressed journalists.

Kajwang’ was one of Raila’s most trusted loyalists and will be best remembered for his trade mark “Bado Mapambano” (the struggle continues) slogan which became the Orange party’s de facto anthem in the 2007 General Election campaigns.

“Kajwang’ was one of the most powerful pillars in our movement. As you know, he was the chairman of ODM in Homa Bay County and also a member of our National Governing Council. We have lost a very strong, staunch and dedicated member of ODM and of the CORD coalition,” Raila added.

Kajwang’, 58, was a jovial man hours before he met his untimely death at Mater Hospital in Nairobi on Tuesday night.

Family, friends and colleagues yesterday described his last moments before he was rushed to the hospital after complaining of chest pains.

He had attended to his parliamentary duties and even gave what has been described as a sterling fifteen-minute speech while debating the Police Amendment Bill dealing with national security and deployment.

“He was in the Senate until 6.15pm. In the Senate, he was a charismatic speaker. Yesterday, he made a very passionate debate on the Police Bill and was very articulate. He walked to me and said: ‘Boss I have done my job for the day. Let’s meet tomorrow.’ Tomorrow did not come,” Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetang’ula said.

After leaving Parliament, Kajwang went to his Runda home where he complained of chest pain. The family contacted his physician who was then at Mater Hospital, hence the decision to by-pass the nearby Aga Khan hospital.

HEART ATTACK

“He left Parliament and went home where he complained of chest pains and was driven to Mater Hospital in the company of his wife. Upon arrival at the hospital, he in fact walked out of the car himself towards the casualty reception. Doctors examined him for high blood pressure and suspected cardiac arrest,” Raila said.

Opposition leaders said their CORD compatriot was pronounced dead at about 11pm after efforts to resuscitate him bore no fruit.

“When his doctor arrived, he found he was suffering from high blood pressure and they were suspecting a heart attack. The doctors struggled with him but after a couple of hours, he passed on,” said Raila.

ROAD ACCIDENT

On Friday last week, Kajwang’ was involved in a road accident in Oyugis after attending an ODM meeting in Homa Bay chaired by Raila. His driver escaped with slight injuries while his bodyguard broke an arm.

“Last Friday, he had a minor accident and I advised him to go for a scan,” Raila said at the Lee Funeral Home. However, according to his bodyguard Mishael Kaogha, Kajwang’ was only treated for a slight shoulder injury and did not undergo a scan.

Wiper leader and CORD co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka said the demise of Kajwang’ will not slow down the fight for equality, democracy and justice.

“We all remember his fight was ‘aluta continua’. The struggle will continue for our brother has only rested and the journey must go on.”

Kajwang was born in 1956 and attended Makerere University where he completed his law degree after he was expelled from the University of Nairobi. He later joined the Kenya School of Law.

He was first elected as Mbita constituency legislator in 1997 where served for 15 years before switching to the Senate where he was elected in 2013 on an ODM ticket.

During the Grand Coalition Government, Kajwang’ was appointed minister for Immigration in the coalition which he served from 2008 to 2013. He becomes the third Grand Coalition minister who sat in the ICC Cabinet subcommittee to die after George Saitoti and Mutula Kilonzo.

The family is yet to meet and announce burial plans. At the Lee Funeral Home, tears flowed freely as Kajwang’s colleagues and Kenyans were allowed to view the body of the man who did not disappoint in political rallies.

Perhaps his last public statement was a tweet he posted about corruption allegations at the electoral body, which he said had been swept under the carpet after CORD raised the red flag.

“We said it then. Was covered in local dailies, but emotions carried the day. Remember the phrase ‘accept and move on’ #Chickengate.”