In a rare display of unity, Kenyan President William Ruto and Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga came together for the first time in public since the contentious August 9, 2022 General Election. The two political adversaries attended the funeral of Field Marshal Mukami Kimathi, the late wife of renowned freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi, in Nyandarua County.
Joining Ruto and Odinga in paying their respects to the revered figure were Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and several other senior state officials. Mukami Kimathi, who passed away at 96 on May 4, 2023, was receiving treatment at a hospital in Nairobi.
The presence of both President Ruto and Odinga at the ceremony marked a significant moment in Kenyan politics, considering the heightened tensions between the two leaders since last year’s elections. Differences over the election results, the rising cost of living, the appointment of new IEBC commissioners, state appointments, the Shakahola deaths saga, and the Finance Bill 2023 have fueled the discord between the political figures.
This rare moment of unity underscores the significance of Mukami Kimathi’s legacy in Kenya’s history and serves as a reminder of the potential for reconciliation in even the most divided political landscap