Cord leader Raila Odinga on Sunday posted a touching message for mothers in Kenya as their day was marked globally.
On his twitter account, Raila said he was given the new of his mothers' death while on detention at Shimo la Tewa prison.
In the message, he narrates how his mother had sent him a special message written on a smuggled piece of toilet paper.
"Unfortunately the official news never reached me until two months later after her burial," Raila said.
The tweet further says his mother was graceful and strong woman who never left things halfway done.
Here is the complete letter dedicated to all mothers;
Dear Mama,
“Stand strong and smile,” I said to myself as I stood in the
courtroom, my hands handcuffed before me as I listened to the Judge read
my fate in 1984. My mother sat in the third row. She was a strong,
powerful lady that rarely showed weakness but today I could see she was
hurting. In the courtroom packed with bodies, I frequently peered in her
direction and tried to smile to make her know that everything was going
to be alright, but all those bodies couldn’t mask the sound of the
silent slump of her heavy heart as I was declared an enemy of the state,
charged with treason and sentenced to death.
That was the last time I saw mother.
Growing up my mother was the backbone of our family.Marrying my
father before independence, I reminisce in awe how she managed to manage
family life, be a confidant and partner of my father and offer frequent
support to those fighting for the independence of this country. She was
tall and slim and a fiercely detested mediocrity. There was no “half
done” with her. Things were either to be done right, or not to be
attempted at all.
It was through George Anyona, a close confidant confined to a different
block at Shimo la Tewa prison that I learned of my mother’s death on
November 5th, 1984. I had never believed in a sixth sense, but my time
in detention showed me that it does exist and that it is very powerful,
particularly when use of other senses is denied.
One night my mother’s image came strongly to my mind. The next day I
did not feel like eating at all, I just stayed lying on the cold floor
of my cell and told the warders that I had had a bad dream. I had seen
my mother talking to me as if she were in pain. She seemed to be bidding
me farewell and telling me to be strong. I knew something was not
right. I got to know what happened when a note from George, written on a
piece of toilet paper informed me that Mama had gone to be with the
Lord. My grief knew no bounds. I was angry that I had not been there to
see her and depressed over her loss. I could not let the warders know
that the news had reached me and therefore had to hold myself together.
My brother Oburu sent a telegram informing me that our mother had died
through provincial officer Kilonzo, a message that did not arrive for
two months after her death.
I see my mother’s character in a lot of the women in my life. My
sisters, all strong women in their own right, have had to face many
battles in life for bearing the family name but just like my mother,
little seldom frightens nor deters them from their beliefs. I am proud
of their achievements and how far they have come.
Ida, the love of my life, a teacher and disciplinarian whose life
story is similar to my mother’s in many ways. Both having to look after
political families, both their husbands being arrested and sent to
detention, both having lost children. I’ve watched her mentor our
children, grand children and many young girls in this country. She has
been an excellent example of strength, integrity and principle and I
wish her joy and happiness on this Mother’s Day!
Last Wednesday night I sat with members of Parliament of my party, ODM,
explaining to them the importance of the gender bill and why we must
support it. The following day I sat in Parliament peering down on all
the women parliamentarians present. I felt for them. I felt their pain.
The extra struggles they must endure because of their gender. They must
overcome daily chauvinism, self image, balance family life as well as
the endless painful needs of the electorate. I watched many of their
male counterparts snicker at the announcement of the vote. It shocked me
at how blind they could be. Many, if not all of them come from
polygamous communities. Communities in which mothers are the centre and
have the heaviest task of raising children. In polygamous communities,
the children call all their father’s wives, “Mama”. Taking care of the
needs of the children is a communal effort that traditionally has been
left to the mother. Therefore, it seems only befitting to me that we
need more in Parliament to take care of the needs of the 45million
children of Kenya. Our children are suffering and to assume that only
men can handle this is the wrong type of thinking. We need all members
of the community to join hands and I will personally speak with
President Kenyatta to help whip members of his coalition into action and
accompany me to parliament the next time the Gender bill is up for a
vote.
In this age of electoral reform, it is important for all of us to join
the conversation of reforming the IEBC. Women’s rights and expressions
depend heavily on their representation. Many women are rigged out of
positions they rightfully won. Reform of the electoral body affects all
of us and I encourage mothers everywhere to pay keen attention to the
changes that need to occur.
Finally, I would like us all to take a moment and say a prayer for
all the mother’s that have lost their children. Take a moment and pray
for Mama Irene, A Juma who lost her son Jacob Juma, a courageous,
forthright man who lost his life fighting for the rights of Kenyans and
exposing the ills of the Eurobond scam. May God grant her strength
during this dark time.
Pray for mothers who have lost their children through extra-judicial killings.
Pray for mothers who lost their children in Huruma.
Pray for mothers in other parts of Kenya that are suffering to bring food to the table.
Pray for mothers who lost their children in the PEV of 2008 and mothers
of slain ICC witnesses, may their deaths not be in vain and may they
find justice.
Pray for mother’s of slain Garissa students, mothers whose children
perished in Westgate, mothers of soldiers whose bodies have still not
been found. May they find peace and strength.
Pray for mother’s with sick children in hospitals, may the lord heal them.
I pray for all mothers, may your children grow up in a exemplary,
winning Kenya, unified by love and not divided by tribalism and may they
fulfill all the dreams and successes you wish upon them.
Happy mothers Day to you all!
