Thousands of family, friends and supporters of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga gathered at his home in Bondo in a joint memorial for both his late father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, and late son, Fidel Odinga.
The ceremony to commemorate the two started on Friday through to Saturday with thousands travelling from far distances to attend the annual event.
Prominent personalities from not only Kenya but across Africa graced Raila Odinga’s event.
However, conspicuously missing at the event was Tanzanian President, John Pombe Magufuli, who had confirmed earlier that he would attend the function considering his close friendship with Raila Odinga.
Magufuli allegedly sent an apology to Raila Odinga at the last minute that he would not attend the function due to pressing State matters of great concern to Tanzanians and Africa.
In a statement to the press, Silas Jokakimba, a close family friend and a political advisor to the former PM, confirmed that Magufuli would not be attending the event due to the ongoing African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
“Whereas H.E Magufuli recently indicated he would be at Kang’oka Jaramogi as the chief guest at the memorial, pressing confidential engagement at AU Heads of State summit in Addis Ababa could not allow his diary to accommodate a detour to Bondo on the same day,” said Jokakimba.
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