ODM leader Raila Odinga has flown out of the country to Dubai for a strategic and political meeting.
Speaking at the funeral of Mama Dorcas Ntimama in Narok, on Saturday, July 10, the former Prime Minister stated that he postponed travelling to the Middle East city to pay his last respects to the deceased.
Mama Dorcas was the widow of the late William ole Ntimama, a seasoned politician who served in various capacities- from MP to Cabinet Minister.
"I am a close friend of this family and I wanted to be here when she is interred. I was to travel to Dubai on Friday, July 9, but changed my itinerary to be with you today.
"It was important to delay the meeting rather than miss bidding her goodbye. My plane leaves at 3 pm (Saturday, July 10). That was why I requested to speak ahead of all the other leaders," Raila disclosed.
He eulogised the late as a mother of the Maa Community and Kenya. Mama Dorcas, according to Raila, was spirited, courageous and friendly.
The opposition leader acknowledged that she supported her husband, ole Ntimama, during his political days until his demise on September 1, 2016.
"She was the bedrock of her husband’s politics and matriarch to the Maa. Dorcas championed Maa culture and promoted the education of girls. May she rest in peace," he mourned.
Mama Dorcas died on Friday, June 25 at a Nairobi Hospital. President Uhuru Kenyatta eulogised her as a gracious woman who worked tirelessly for the wellbeing of society.
Raila will be in Dubai for the first time since undergoing minor surgery on his back in the city in June 2020.
"Jakom is out of the country for a minor surgical operation on his back. It is not a serious health issue but just a minor one. So he is okay," his brother and East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Oburu Odinga announced and later confirmed that the operation was successful.
