- Japheth Muriuki stopped activities in the whole nation about 11 years ago with the slogan ‘Baba while you were away’ which showed the challenges facing Kenyans under the then government
- Raila was returning to the country after a three-month break in the United States, when he was greeted with joy by his supporters who followed him from the airport
- On the day of Raila’s funeral, Muruki explained that he lost his wife the day Raila died, and she was lying in the morgue
Bondo: Japheth Muruki, a man who once became famous for coming up with the slogan ‘Dad while you were away’, has explained that he left his wife in the funeral home to go and bury the former prime minister Raila Odinga.
Source: Facebook
More than 11 years ago, Japheth coined the slogan when the then CORD leader was returning from the United States, where he was on a three-month political hiatus.
At that time, Japheth was blaming being the Governor of Nairobi, Evans Kiderowas removed from power, along with other challenges under the then government.
“I called him Father because he was the father of democracy and saving the nation,” said Muruki, who also went to court to seek orders to allow Baba’s followers to receive him peacefully.
When Raila returned, he was met by many supporters who took him to the center of Nairobi with a large camp of his supporters who had complaints about how the country was being led badly.
Although he fought hard to ensure that Raila received a grand reception, he was surprised when ODM leaders failed to allow him near the then opposition leader.
Source: Facebook
Why did Muruki touch Kenyans?
A few years later, Muruki arrived Bondo early to bury a person he respected a lot, and when he got there, he felt twice as much pain than the other mourners who were there.
“I have voted for Raila six times; he is my friend, business partner and political guardian. My wife died the same day Baba went missing and I will bury my wife on November 7,” he said.
“What has been started and not completed we will do for him and ensure his legacy continues. We will ensure that human rights and economic freedom are fully maintained,” he added.
Muruki was not the only one who struggled to get to Raila’s funeral, as some people blocked entry to the burial ground.
“We walked and thanks to God we had the strength to walk to the burial ground to say goodbye to our beloved Raila,” said another mourner.
How Kenyans mourned Raila
A famous Kenyan athlete, Faith Kipyegonlamented Raila as someone who was always urging him to break sports records.
Kenyans in the diaspora mourned former Prime Minister Raila Odinga bitterly, considering him more than just a political leader.
An old man who did not want to risk starvation at the funeral service of the former Prime Minister arrived with his food ready.
Mourners wept as Raila’s coffin made its way to the funeral
In another story, thousands of people gathered at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) started crying when Raila’s body began to be taken to his home for burial.
Some mourners also expressed their grief through tears, crying, as well as prayers offered on behalf of the deceased and his family.
The emotional scene showed the deep bond between Raila and his people and left the nation knowing that a political era has come to an end.
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