The funeral service of the multi-party hero Kenneth Matiba is set to be remarkably memorable if a plan by Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino to read a speech that may arguably rival that of South Africa's Julius Malema is anything to go by.
The vocal legislator sent out the speech on his Facebook page indicating that he would deliver it during Matiba's send-off ceremony.
In his speech, Babu praises the once Kiharu MP who also served as a Minister for three ministries including Health, Transport and Communications, and Culture and Social Services calling him a "lover of liberty and an irrepressible fighter for justice."
[caption caption="Babu Owino"]
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"Kenneth Matiba believed relentlessly in the power of truth, had the courage to always perceive the truth and possessed that extra courage of always saying the truth to the people."
"Even as we mourn, no one here can doubt that these assaults and inhuman prison facilities might have contributed to his tribulations and untimely death," Babu's speech reads in part.
The Embakasi legislator then takes a jab at the former regime, its supporters and the current crop of leaders whom he accuses of hypocrisy with the phrase "Matiba forgive them" concluding each swipe.
"Surprisingly, some of those friends and allies that betrayed Matiba are seated closer to his coffin than those that really cared about him and his ideas. Matiba forgive them.
"Matiba had the vision for a corruption free Kenya, but even the people who’ve converted Kenya into a free corruption zone are here and crying more than the bereaved. Matiba forgive them.
"Matiba had the vision of turning Kenya into the land of opportunity, but even the people who’ve converted Kenya into the land of opportunism are here and will say how good and great Matiba was. Matiba forgive them," he adds.
[caption caption="The late Kenneth Matiba during a visit to the State House"]
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"Matiba was philanthropic and always sided with the less fortunate, but even those that constantly torment the poor and grab lands and property belonging to the less fortunate will stand here and say how Matiba inspired them. Matiba forgive them," Babu Owino eulogizes.
This style is akin to the effective and memorable "Mama, They are here" tribute by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
Babu concludes his speech by stating: "It is now left for those of us in this valley of tears to continue the good fight. This is the only befitting task that would do Kenneth Matiba proud. 'Sleep well, Comrade Matiba'."
