President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday honoured Jaramogi Oginga Odinga (father to CORD leader Raila Odinga) after earlier threats by members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
In his Jamhuri Day speech, Kenyatta recognised Jaramogi as one of the founding fathers describing him and others as the first generation heroes.
“Patriots like Jomo Kenyatta and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Masinde Muliro and Paul Ngei; Bildad Kaggia and Achieng’ Oneko set aside their differences, and joined hands to overthrow the colonial order. In their unity, they were indomitable,” said Mr Kenyatta
The President hailed the leaders for their roles in liberating the country from colonialists urging Kenyans to uphold what the founding fathers had established.
“This was Kenya’s first age of heroes, and we who come after them should always remember what a precious gift they left us,” he added.
In October this year, Kenyatta was heavily criticised after he failed to include Jaramogi, a former Vice President, in his list of heroes during the Mashujaa Day Celebrations.
A section of ODM leaders blamed him for what they termed is disrespect adding that the President had clearly discriminated against the Nyanza region.
Led by Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, the politicians ordered Kenyatta to explain the omission and apologise vowing to disrespect him in equal measure.
