By Edwin Ombati
Hon Joel Onyancha was buried yesterday , he was known as the only Kisii leader who has always stool with PNU – TNA -Jubilee in Gusiiland back then during Kibaki era while every politician in kisiiland was vying on an ODM ticket he stood firm with TNA and was elected, he remained steadfast in Jubilee, was a dallying to Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, he traversed the entire Kisii and nyamira county campaigning for Jubilee.
His sudden death last week was received with a lot of shock and pain but what worries most is the manner in which the Jubilee government has vilified his demise, there has not been much attention paid. The president and his deputy yesterday were seriously campaigning in western region while one of their staunch footsoldier was being laid to rest, no media was even covering the event live,
This makes me imagine what could this be the case if it was someone from Central province or Rift Valley, the scenario could have been different, you could have seen the president postpone all his engagements and attend the burial with all the Jubilee top officials, all media houses would by now be giving a live coverage, the same happened during the burial for Biwott, G.G Kariuki, Nkaissery and many others,
This should be a learning experience to our Kisii brothers and sisters, Jubilee does not have our interests as Abagusii community at heart, to them we are just a bridge to presidency and the moment they will reach the other side the will dismantle the bridge please Gusii Nation let’s wake up and open our eyes. Remember Uhuru did not attend the late Esther Nyachae’s burial (The late Esther was wife of Gusii strongman Mzee Simeon Nyachae).
My friend DD has also added his observation and I paste it here below:
Hon. Joel Onyancha, longtime Kisii pointman for President Uhuru and Jubilee who died of heart attack moments after Supreme Court final judgement, was laid to rest yesterday.
It was a quiet, somber event; unlikely and unexpected, of a man who sat on same row with the President. This made it even more sorrowful.
Not only did Jubilee leaders, including President Uhuru, snub his burial, they were actually campaigning in nearby Busia, where they received Paul Otuoma, whom, if he were to die today, Jubilee will move to nearby Trans Nzoia to campaign, oblivious of the finality of death.
In July the leading Jubilee candidate for Kitutu Chache constituency died in a road accident, well Uhuru or any Jubilee top party guns did not attend either. In 2016, retired Gusii community strongman and 2002 presidential candidate Mzee Simeon Nyachae lost his wife Esther, well Uhuru and Jubilee kept off despite the Nyachaes funding and vigorously campaigning for Uhuru. You know what Prime Minister Raila attended burial of mama Esther Nyachae.
Contrast this with the recent burial of Rachel Shebesh’s father, Samuel Mbugua. President Uhuru attended. Other recent burials are those of Biwott and GG Kariuki.
The late Mbugua, a longtime ODM Chairman for Kiambu Branch, also saw his longtime friend and Party Leader Raila Odinga attend.
Lesson to my ‘western Kenya’ friends who pretend to be more Jubilee Mt Kenya people themselves
Of Onyancha it must be said: Here is a man who served Uthamaki diligently for the last 15 years but who, on his resting place, saw neither Uthamaki nor Uthamaki surrogates!
Go deep, and never forget.
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