Tributes to Musalia’s mother as leaders call for Luhya unity

Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, Amani National Congress party leader Musalia Mudavadi and his wife during the requiem service yesterday for Mudavadi’s mother Hannah Atsianzale at Friends International Centre Church, on Ngong Road, Nairobi. [Dennis Kavisu and Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Politicians, friends and family members yesterday gathered in Nairobi to pay tribute to Hannah Atsianzale Mudavadi, mother of Amani National Congress party leader Musalia Mudavadi.

Atsianzale was eulogised as the force behind her husband, the late powerful minister Moses Mudavadi, as well as the person who propelled her son Musalia into a successful politician.

Makadara Member of Parliament George Aladwa, Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa and Vihiga Senator George Khaniri called on Luhya leaders present at the memorial service to hold serious discussions on uniting the Luhya community before the 2022 elections.

“We have been despised as a community ... but this year God should see us through so that we unite and talk in one voice and be respected in Kenyan politics,” said Mr Aladwa.

However, Deputy President William Ruto sounded the alarm over tribal politics, stating that the unity of Kenya as a whole was important since the country faced national and not ethnic challenges.

Other Luhya leaders such as Lugari MP Ayub Savula urged Mudavadi to vie for presidency in 2022.

But Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala said seeing Musalia just as the Luhya leader was belittling him.

“Musalia Mudavadi is not just a ‘Mulembe’ leader; Musalia Mudavadi is a national leader. If you want to propel Musalia Mudavadi to the presidency of this republic, it is a mistake to give him titles equivalent to a chief,” said Mr Malala.

Dr Ruto said Kenya was in a difficult position owing to the health and economic challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, citing the stalemate between healthcare workers and the government.

“This is not the time to point fingers. It is time for us to stand together as a nation so that we can confront this situation together, especially now that we are in this space of the handshake where all of us are talking and working together,” he said.

Ruto said that since other leaders like Raila Odinga, Musalia and Kalonzo Musyoka were in conversation with President Uhuru Kenyatta, they, too, could help solve the challenges Kenya faced.

Maryanne Mudavadi, daughter of Musalia Mudavadi, with her mother Tessy during the service. [Dennis Kavisu and Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Few Kenyans knew about the late Atsianzale prior to her death on December 28, aged 92, at the Nairobi Hospital. However, during her memorial service at the Friends Church Ngong Road yesterday, family members and friends testified of a strong and prayerful woman who overcame numerous adversities to grow into a successful entrepreneur and impactful member of the community.

As a young girl, Atsianzale dropped out of school in Standard Four at Bunyore Girls High School to care for her younger siblings following the death of their mother.

Family members recounted that Atsianzale remained hopeful that she would someday give birth to a son despite being mocked for only birthing girls.

“She was mocked, abused and ostracised because she only had girls. She later gave birth to Wycliffe in 1960 and was overjoyed,” said her grandson Moses Mudavadi, further eulogizing her as a symbol of strength and honour, just like the biblical Hannah, who faced stigma due to her barrenness.

The Mudavadi family recollected how she beat cancer with the successful removal of the cancerous tumour, but later succumbed after surgery on December 27 last year to correct an entanglement in her digestive system.

Rose Mudavadi, a family member, recalled that Atsianzale remained prayerful to the end, even requesting for Psalm 23 to be recited before her surgery.

Atsianzale is survived by six children: Musalia and his five sisters. She will be buried on Saturday at the family’s home in Mululu in Sabatia Constituency, Vihiga County.