The burial of former Cabinet minister William ole Ntimama yesterday was turned into a political storm between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Cord leader Raila Odinga.
At one point, Uhuru told Raila “Kumeza mate si kula nyama. Sasa nyinyi endeleeni kumezea mate, sisi tutaendelea kula nyama.” (“Swallowing saliva does not mean you have eaten meat. Continue swallowing saliva as we eat meat.”)
The public discord was so dramatic that Raila refused to stand as the President walked back to his seat. Cord co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka appeared to urge him to rise.
Kalonzo and the other Cord co-principal Moses Wetang’ula then sat back, when it appeared Raila was not going to stand. Raila had kicked off the storm, saying that after Ntimama led a delegation of Maasai’s to State House, he called him and told him he was still in ODM.
“He gave me a call and told me he had not joined Jubilee. He said that one hand of Jubilee was important for the good of his community but the other wasn’t,” the Cord leader said. “So today as we bury him, we will send him off with an ODM flag.”
The ODM leader said Ntimama went to State House to see how the government could help his people. Raila eulogised him as a leader who stood by justice for his country and community.
When the President rose to speak, he said, “I usually do not politick at funerals.” He hastily added that he had two responses to make.
Uhuru then proceeded to lecture Raila and told him to mind his own business and put his own house in order. He said Jubilee is in power and is prepared to defend the presidency and win a second term next year.
“I want to tell my brother Raila something. Please keep off matters to do with our Jubilee Party. Jubilee does not have two or three hands. It has only one. Please concentrate on the affairs of your party,” he said.
“Put your house in order and then let us compete for this seat. Actually, we [Jubilee] are sitting on it and you are looking for it. He then recounted the Swahili saying about swallowing saliva and eating meat – meaning Jubilee is eating the meat.
The President told off a bishop, who had told mourners that unity is key before even people can think about development. “Unity of the Maasai and of all Kenyans is very important. However, it is stupid to say that unity should come before development. We do not want our people to be poor. We must seek development, even as we unite,” Uhuru said.
The funeral was attended by thousands of mourners who started arriving at Ntimama’s Motonyi home in Narok as early as 6am. Most were clad in the traditional Maasai attire.
Business in Narok town was interrupted when the body arrived from the Lee Funeral Home. Traders closed their businesses and joined others mourners to give the fallen ‘king’ of the Maasai community the last send-off. Ntimama’s body arrived at his home at 9am where the prayer service was conducted by Anglican Church of Kenya head Jackson ole Sapit.
In attendance were retired President Daniel Moi, former Tanzanian Prime Minister Edward Lowassa, Ntimama’s Moi era Cabinet colleague Nicholas Biwott, several Cabinet Secretaries, governors, senators, MPs and political leaders Musalia Mudavadi and Peter Kenneth.
His eulogy was read by his two sons – Timothy Tempes and Amos Sipai. Sipai said that according to the Maasai culture, it is believed that during an eclipse, a great man is destined to die. There was a partial solar eclipse on September 1.
Moi preached peace and urged leaders to unite Kenyans. “Ntimama was a straightforward person, who did not shy away from saying what he believed in. He was a towering character. We consulted widely, especially on issues touching on the Maa community.” Lowassa said the last time he met Ntimama, he told them that as Maasai leaders, they must guard the interests of their community. “We are happy that Ntimama has been honoured by leaders from all walks of life,” he said.
Veteran politician John Keen eulogised Ntimama as a “decisive and a self-educated” man who spoke English, Kiswahili and Maasai fluently. Keen further described him as a loving father and close friend.