Ethnic politics are cheap, let's unite - Raila

ODM leader Raila Odinga has asked Kenyans to embrace unity and shun divisive ethnic-based politics.

Speaking in Thika during the funeral service of Dr Francis Ngaru, Raila dismissed as cheap politics that seek to divide Kenyans along ethinic lines.

The opposition doyen said those who have branded him an enemy of the Kikuyu community are mistaken.

History, he said, shows that he has been working with and supporting the community policitically for decades now.

While reflecting on Kenya's pre-multiparty era, Raila said he worked with the likes of Kenneth Matiba and and Charles Rubia and in 2002 endorsed Mwai Kibaki for the presidency after learning that an ethnically divided opposition was poised to lose the election to Kanu again.

"I said Kibaki tosha and campaigned for Kibaki when he was injured until he became president. Did I not know that Kibaki was a Kikuyu," Raila posed.

"So the idea that Raila is an enemy of the Kikuyu, I don't know where it's coming from...so people talking about ethnicity are talking cheap politics."

Raila rallied the country to unite as one people, saying Kenya is much more important than any one particular individual.

"If Kenya burns, we have no country," he said, drawing comparison with some neighbouring countries like Somalia, which have not known peace for decades.

"Somalia, from 1991 up to today is in turmoil. Look at South Sudan, look at DRC, look at Ethiopia and so many other countries around us. It is better to have peace and push to go and have a peaceful election than to have turmoil in this country."

Raila described Dr Ngaru as a close friend he met many years ago while studying in Germany.

He said Ngaru, husband to Mumbi Ngaru, was a patriot who served the country diligently in various spheres and capacities.

Ngaru died on April 26, a loss his son Githinji described as sudden, but one they had made peace with.

He described him as selfless man who was always keen on helping others.

"He was always willing to help somebody; he never bragged, he hardly ever talked about himself. In fact, we are even learning more about dad when he is gone and we are his kids. So that is something that we should all take with us," he said.