Political upheaval will no doubt erupt during the funeral of former Education CS, Prof. George Albert Omore Magoha which will take place at his rural home in Ahono Ratudi village, Gem sub-county, Siaya County.
Prof. Magoha’s county is the bastion of the opposition chief, Hon. Raila Odinga, who is currently leading charged rallies against the government of President William Ruto who defeated him in last year’s general elections. But to soften the ground in Odingas backyard, the government has pledged to ferry the body and feed mourners who will attend the burial ceremony.
The straight-talking former CS died aged 71 years at the Nairobi Hospital following a cardiac arrest. Former president Uhuru Kenyatta, ODM leader Raila Odinga, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Charity Ngilu of Narc-K, Martha Karua of Narc, and his former colleagues in Uhuru’s cabinet are expected to attend the ceremony.
It’s not clear if president William Ruto will grace the burial of Prof Magoha in the village that is very close to Odinga’s home in the neighboring Bondo constituency. If he does, then it will be the first time that the head of state will come face-to-face with the loud and sycophantic allies of the opposition chief who have mastered the art of funeral politics.
Being in Luo Nyanza where Odinga is the political kingpin, Ruto’s attendance may be received with mixed reactions but the president is also a bright strategist who can pull a surprise. Last year during national celebrations in Kisumu when Uhuru was still the president, Ruto was well received at Kondele, a scene that left many Odinga allies shocked.
Magoha has passed at a time when there is growing animosity in the country due to a frosty relationship between President Ruto and the Azimo leader who is threatening to stage mass action and economic sabotage.
The president’s handlers are comfortable with him gracing memorial church service in Nairobi and skipping home burial where ODM politicians like Babu Owino, Opiyo Wandayi, and Samuel Atandi are expected to throw tantrums.
Most of Odinga’s allies are not happy that Ruto did not reappoint Magoha but instead named Ezekiel Machogu to take over the Education docket. The president only retained Monica Juma, and Simon Chelugui who they argue cannot match the late’s performance while in office.
But Ruto, in his message of condolence to the family acknowledged that he worked well with the late professor and that the country has lost a brilliant son.
