President Uhuru Kenyatta cancelled visit to Nginyo Kariuki's burial due to corona virus crisis - Raila Odinga

Uhuru cancelled Kiambu visit due to corona virus crisis - Raila

Tony Mukere

March 3, 2020 2:36 PM

Uhuru was even dressed for the function

President Uhuru Kenyatta cancelled visit to Nginyo Kariuki's burial due to corona virus crisis - Raila Odinga

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday failed to show up for the funeral of veteran politician Nginyo Kariuki due to changes in his schedule arising from the corona virus global crisis, ODM Leader Raila Odinga informed mourners.

Raila made the revelation on Tuesday when he conveyed the President's apologies to the family and mourners of the fallen politician and businessman.

The former Prime Minister added that President Kenyatta had requested the family to adjust the funeral date from tomorrow (Wednesday) to today (Tuesday) but was unable to attend.

"I will begin by bringing apologies from His Excellency the President. This burial was to take place Thursday but the family upon request changed it to day so the President could come. Unfortunately due to the corona virus visitation, some appointments were rescheduled and he could not make it," Odinga stated.

Attorney General Kariuki Kihara mentioned that he had been with Kenyatta on Tuesday morning whom he said was dressed for the burial but was forced to cancel after an emergency arose.

AG Kariuki joked he would not reveal the nature of the emergency, "even if his finger was cut".

President Kenyatta has in the past week been coordinating the government's preparation strategy in the event Kenya is hit by the deadly corona virus.

Fears of the virus getting to Kenya has also introduced a diplomatic crisis angle as some Kenyan students remain marooned in China despite other Chinese nationals being allowed to fly into Kenya.

Kenyatta, whose TNA party was founded by the late Kariuki, was represented by his brother Muhoho Kenyatta, his uncle George Muhoho, and a delegation of senior government officials.

Tony Mukere