Moses Kuria recounts moment he was forced to hide in Raila’s home
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Trade CS Moses Kuria remembers hiding in Raila's home after police beating during the time of late former President Daniel Arap Moi
Trade CS Moses Kuria remembers hiding in Raila’s home after police beating during the time of late former President Daniel Arap Moi.
On Thursday, the Trade Cabinet Secretary recounted how a gang of police officers attacked him, forcing him and other significant people—including politicians and celebrities—to hide in a cactus plantation at the residence of the former opposition leader Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Speaking on September 21 while launching an Industrial Park in Siaya County, Kuria recalled that former President Daniel Arap Moi had imposed a curfew on the opposition politician’s home, ordering that no function or ceremony should be performed at the residence after 6 o’clock in the evening.
In defiance of the past regime’s wishes and directives, Jaramogi’s family organized a disco matanga with the help of local officials.
“We returned to Kang’oo Ka’Jaramogi one year later to celebrate his life, but former President Daniel Arap Moi’s administration did not want us to mark the anniversary.
“Former President Moi had assured us that there was not going to be any live music, something that we did not agree with,” the Cabinet Secretary narrated.
Kuria claims that Jaramogi was one of the most instrumental people in his life having saved him from possible expulsion while he was studying at the University of Nairobi (UoN).
Kuria disregarded the local government’s advice and remained put to take in the evening music in remembrance of Jaramogi, whom he referred to as a father and a mentor.
“When I remember the journey that Governor James Orengo, Senator Oburu Odinga, and I had some 29 years ago, in 1994, I’m glad that we are here.
“On January 20, 1994, we were here to bury Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, the man who instructed former Homa Bay Senator Gerald Otieno Kajwang to represent me in court, to which, I got an injunction that stopped me from being expelled from the University of Nairobi,” Kuria stated.
Kuria recounted how a contingent of police officers raided the home as the celebrants gathered to listen to a local musician who had barely started performing.
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“So, as it was getting dark, other dignitaries including former Nigerian President Ole Segun Obasanjo were present as well as a former military ruler.
“The music started at around 6:30 pm. No sooner had the musician Okach Biggy started playing music than the police intervened, and threw teargas at us,” Kuria narrated.
What followed was a beating of the people who had started dancing at the compound. The police officers also chased after Kuria and Oburu, Raila’s elder brother.
“The police then descended on us, and forced Oburu and I to hide inside a nearby cactus plantation inside the compound of Kang’oo Ka’Jaramogi.
“We were later whisked to safety, and taken to Opoda farm where former Prime Minister Raila Odinga prepared for us chicken. That is the best chicken I have tasted in this part of the world,” Kuria narrated.
Kuria assured Raila and Nyanza leaders of his commitment to ensure that the region is developed, and not left behind in any way.
“Today, I am here as a Minister, Orengo is a Governor and Oburu is a Senator,” Kuria stated.
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