Silas Jakakimba with Raila Odinga
Silas Jakakimba with Raila Odinga in Nairobi.

A friend of Raila Odinga's in politics, Silas Jakakimba, skipped Monday's mass demonstration against President William Ruto's government.


In a letter dated March 17, Mr Jakakimba said that he was forced to quit as Mr Odinga's advisor and as a life member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).


"Put an end to this choice by removing my identity from the party's official membership list," he said.


In 2004, when he had been a part of the Liberal Democratic Party's Youth League, Mr Jakakimba and Mr Odinga first met.


Mr Jakakimba says that their years of hard work turned into a trusting friendship and a close relationship, like being a son.


"Yet the moment has come to separate ways," he said, calling himself a responsible and trustworthy assistant.


He prayed for Jakom's health to stay good and for him to live a long, happy life. He also told Jakom, "With such gratitude and pleasure, Jakom, please accept my highest regard, attention, and prayers."


Mr Jakakimba talked about how Mr Odinga had put him in different jobs over the years and trained him to do them well.


"It is a rare honour to be able to talk about the pride that comes from being there with you as you overcame many obstacles to see a complete redesign of our democratic accountability system into a new constitution that put devolution at the centre of our democratic accountability," he said.


The lawmaker had been Mr Odinga's advisor up to his departure. He worked as the ODM leader's legislative executive assistant in 2007.


He worked as Mr Odinga's personal assistant when the head of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition was appointed prime minister in the grand governing coalition.


Because of this connection, he said, "I admit that, outside of Nelson Mandela, I know neither any living individual being on the African continent who comes near to you as someone who stood among equals in the struggle for a liberalised and wealthier continent.


"It is a great honour for me to thank you and let you know how much I appreciate the practical training you have given me in the fields of democracy, international relations, peacemaking and conflict resolution, democratic reform, and administration."



Silas Jakakimba with CS Kithure Kindiki


Winnie Odinga, the daughter of the leader of the opposition, is said to have scolded Mr Jakakimba earlier this week when he posted a Twitter cover photo of him and President Ruto.


He said in a tweet that "Winnie Odinga used the F-word on me last night for what she deemed treachery in substitution of my cover picture."


To move forward, Winnie must learn to treat everyone with respect for what makes them unique, including their love of country and the hardships they have endured along the way.


Mr Jakakimba said that he was sure he had made a big difference "in this huge and important fight for a better country, which Kenyans love to call devolution benefits."


Post a Comment

What is your say on this

Previous Post Next Post