Carry on Raila’s fight for inclusivity, leaders in Northeastern urged
Raila is remembered as a voice for marginalised Northeastern
5h agoSTEPHEN ASTARIKONorth-eastern
Former Head of Public Service and the second governor of Nyandarua county Francis Kimemia./FILE
Having had the privilege to work closely with him in the aftermath of the 2007 general election, I came to know Raila not just as a political figure, but as a man of profound wisdom, intellect, and vision. Those were turbulent days in our nation’s history, days when many doubted that Kenya would ever heal.
Yet under the stewardship of President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the country steadied itself, rebuilt trust and forged a new path forward.
Behind the scenes, the then premier was constantly building bridges—literally and figuratively. While others nursed political wounds, he was focused on mending the soul of the nation.
He would spend long hours in meetings, listening intently, weighing perspectives, and then, with a calm but firm voice, guide discussions toward unity and progress.
That was the moment I realised the kind of man
he truly was. He was a charismatic leader and a consummate professional who
placed Kenya above personal or political gain.
As Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of Public Service during the Grand Coalition government, I saw firsthand his dedication to governance. He chaired key Cabinet sub-committees with precision and purpose, ensuring that what was passed in Cabinet was implemented efficiently. I recall how he would often insist that every policy must “touch the life of the mwananchi.”
It wasn’t enough for a policy to look good on
paper, it had to make a difference on the ground.
He was deeply involved in the appointment of Cabinet ministers, Permanent Secretaries and other senior officials, and he always sought the best minds. He looked for individuals of integrity and competence.
His collaboration with President Kibaki brought out the best of both leaders: His political acumen complemented Kibaki’s technocratic rigour. Together, they oversaw an era of remarkable economic growth, with the economy expanding by about 7.3 per cent, one of the highest rates in our post-independence history.
Even the international community looked at Kenya in amazement. Few believed that a grand coalition could work in Africa, yet under their joint leadership, Kenya became a model for reconciliation and co-governance. Out of the ashes of conflict emerged stability, constitutional reform and economic recovery.
That said Raila’s fingerprints are all over
Kenya’s democratic journey—from the ‘Second Liberation’ struggle to the birth
of the 2010 Constitution.
His bold declaration ‘Kibaki Tosha’ in 2002 remains one of the most selfless political acts in our nation’s history — a defining moment that demonstrated his ability to place the country above ambition.
During my tenure as Nyandarua governor, I had the privilege of hosting him on several occasions. I vividly recall his visit during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, when we inspected the 500-bed Mashujaa Medical Complex at JM Kariuki County Referral Hospital in Ol’Kalou.
Despite his stature, he showed a deep, genuine curiosity about how the facility would improve healthcare access for ordinary Kenyans. His compassion for people, especially the marginalised was never performative, it was his nature.
Many things have been said and written about Raila – about his courage, his sometimes fiery politics and his unyielding drive – but beneath all that was a selfless patriot, a man who lived for Kenya. He was driven not by power but by purpose. His decisions were rarely the easiest, but almost always the right ones.
The former PM will be remembered as one of Africa’s most distinguished statesmen – a visionary who fought for democracy, justice and inclusivity long before they became political catchphrases.
As a nation, we mourn his passing, but we also
celebrate a life that was fully and faithfully lived. Raila taught us that
leadership is not about titles but service, not about self-preservation but
sacrifice.
The writer is former Head of Public Service and the second governor of Nyandarua county
