Politicians have been dealt a major blow after the presiding Archbishop Anthony Muheria announced that there will be no politics on the podium during late former President Mwai Kibaki's final service at Othaya Approved School Grounds in Nyeri County.
Speaking after the mass, Archbishop Muheria warned against any political speeches, saying Kibaki's family had requested all to stay clear of politics since it was the late Kibaki's wish.
The Nyeri Diocese Archibishop urged all leaders to mourn Kibaki in their own ways and avoid talking politics, which he said Kibaki always avoided when attending mass or church services.
"I want to convey this kind of request from the family of the late Mwai Kibaki. It was Kibaki's wish and honor that we will not have any political speeches. It is something that we admire in Kibaki and therefore all of us who mourn and we have our own desires to express our relation for our president, let us be satisfied with the prayers and give this great man the respect and honor he deserves" stated Muheria
Read More
And immediately after the mass, the archbishop invited Mwai Kibaki's grandchildren to read the late President's eulogy. It is not yet clear whether the politicians who have thronged the venue will be given time to address the mourners or whether it will be purely a church-driven function.
On Friday, the archbishop also cautioned leaders at Nyayo Stadium against wading into politics, but this proved a challenge to a section of leaders, including former Premier Raila Odinga, who said it will be difficult to eulogize a politician without politics.
He, however, restricted himself to the directions, only throwing a few political lines in between his eulogy.
