Former President Kalonzo Musyoka never got a chance to speak at the funeral of former President Mwai Kibaki.
This, despite Kalonzo being Kibaki’s deputy for five years during Kibaki’s second term in office.
But the Archbishop of the Nyeri Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Anthony Muheria has opened up on the matter.
Archbishop Muheria was in charge of the burial ceremony as the master of ceremony.
There are things we could have accommodated more, but within the realm of the wish of the family, and the wish of the religious rights, we had to forego certain things that surely some people could feel were amiss
Archbishop Muheria
And speaking during a live interview in a local television channel, Muheria said all that happened at the funeral was in line with the wishes of Kibaki’s family.
“The family of the late President had said they didn’t want politics and political speeches at the event,” said Muheria.
He said Kibaki got a worthy send off like he would wish.
“I think there are may be things that we could have done better,” he said.
The rage
He added: “There are things we could have accommodated more, but within the realm of the wish of the family, and the wish of the religious rights, we had to forego certain things that surely some people could feel were amiss.”
His sentiments came following rage among Kalonzo allies claiming that he ought to have been given a chance to say a word, having worked with Kibaki.
The family of the late President had said they didn’t want politics and political speeches at the event
Muheria
But Bishop Muheria said there was no malice in the way the program was conducted.
“But let us be honest, we tried out best in the circumstances,” he said.
Intruder
Bishop Muheria caught the attention of the world after he intelligently handled a man who had breached security protocols and accessed the ceremony dais.
The clergy held the man, embraced him, and handed him to the security personnel, while asking them to treat him well.
The man had a day before created scenes at Parliament building during the public viewing of Kibaki’s body by claiming that he was the former President’s grandson.
“The young man was agitated, and not a threat. He was not coming there for evil,” said Muheria.
He said Kenyans needed to extend mercy and care to such people, saying Kenyans are struggling with deeper issues.
“It was just God’s help and I thank God that we were able to take care of him,” he said.
Kibaki, Kenya’s third President was buried on April 30, at his Othaya home in Nyeri County.
I’m wondering why many have not come out to claim that Kibaki was either their father or grandfather. This is common when politicians (Senior) die.