A showdown is expected as President William Ruto, and handshake brothers Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga converge on Saturday, February 11, in Siaya for the burial of the late Professor George Magoha.
The burial of the former Education Cabinet Secretary, Prof George Magoha, comes against the backdrop of heightened political activities, all leading to serious tension in the country.
Even though Professor Magoha's family on Friday, February 10, asked mourners to respect the deceased and his family, analysts expected the handshake brothers and President Ruto to collide.
“We have heard rumours that the President will attend as well as other dignitaries.
"But while they are allowed to say whatever they want, we do not expect politics to overtake the funeral service,” Prof Magoha’s elder brother John Obare pleaded.
Also in attendance at the burial at Umiru village, Gem Sub-County in Siaya County will be Wiper Democratic Movement Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Democratic Action Party of Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, Charity Ngilu of Narc-K, Martha Karua of Narc and the Kenyatta regime Cabinet.
“Raila is a hero in this region but we all know Prof was not a politician and, therefore, we expect all politicians to behave decently for the sake of my brother,” Magoha's brother, Obare requested.
The former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, largely considered the region's kingpin, pledged never to recognise William Ruto as the President of the Republic of Kenya.
In a political rally at Mavoko, Machakos County, Raila asked Kenyans to reject President William Ruto, noting that the Head of State did not legitimately win the 2022 Election.
"We demand Ruto resigns because he did not win the election, and he knows it," Raila noted even as he supported cheered on.
In Raila's support, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka claimed that the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition would not allow Ruto to take Raila's victory.
"Raila's victory was stolen in 2013, 2017 and 2022, but this time around, Raila must claim his victory because he won the election," Kalonzo claimed.
Other leaders who spoke at the Mavoko rally were Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni and DAP-Kenya Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa, who claimed that President Ruto was out to weaken the opposition.
The Mavoko rally came a few days after former Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang'i, accused the police of raiding his house. It was widely reported that elite police officers surrounded Matiangi's Karen home seeking to arrest him for undisclosed reasons.
On Thursday, February 9, Matiang'i obtained an anticipatory bail that barred police officers from arresting him.
Matiang'i played a critical role in the burial of Professor Magoha after former President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered him to take charge of the funeral arrangements.
Conversely, President William Ruto's allies accused former Head of State Uhuru Kenyatta of financing demonstrations to sabotage the Kenya Kwanza administration.
While condoling with the family of Magoha at their Lavington home, Uhuru asked the Kenya Kwanza government to focus on developing the nation rather than engaging the opposition in cheap talks.
