Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s youngest son Raila Junior officially bid bachelorhood farewell in a colourful wedding ceremony held at the Windsor Golf and Country Club in Nairobi. Raila junior married his long time girlfriend Yvonne Kibukosya, daughter to song writer and musician Susan Kibukosya. It was a ceremony that saw political leaders set aside their differences to join the Premier in marking his son’s big day. Judy Kosgey reports
The politics in Raila Junior’s wedding
Raila Junior Odinga, Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s third-born son tied the knot with his lover of many years, Yvonne Kibukosya, on Saturday.
The wedding which was held in Nairobi was initially meant to take place in Mombasa, at the same hotel where the two got engaged late last year.
However, the plans to have the wedding by the beach changed three months ago due to what an insider termed as family interests.
According to sources, the Prime Minister wanted the wedding ceremony to take place in Nairobi. In fact, most of the invited guests were his political cronies and people of close family ties.
Among the high profile guests was former President Moi, his former aide Joshua Kulei, Attorney General Githu Muigai, Central Bank Governor Njuguna Ndung’u, Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, several Cabinet ministers, and a number of MPs.
It was an invites-only glamour affair whose total cost was estimated at Sh10 million.
Our source said the initial family ceremonies, one of which was hosted in Bondo and another one in Nairobi, had consumed Sh30 million.
Yvonne is the daughter of Gido and Suzanne Kibukosya (now Suzanne Gachukia), a former celebrity songstress-turned music producer.
She is the great-grand daughter to Peter Kibukosya, a patriotic Kenyan who helped write the national anthem.
Besides, it wasn’t just a wedding but an event where politics played a major role with former President Moi giving congratulatory message to the newly-weds.
In what was viewed as a surprise move, a jovial Moi addressed guests and stressed the importance of dialogue among leaders despite their political differences.
Mr Moi said, "Even if I have different views it does not matter. We should not differ at all. We can sit around the table and even eat because we are guided by love."
Moi, who seemed to be offering an olive branch to the premier, said even if people differ on principles, they should sit together and share a meal.
Raila said unity among Kenyans is paramount and noted that tribalism is dead.
"This animal called tribalism is dying. Tribes only exist in people’s imaginations. We can make a great Kenya if we shun divisions," he said.
The premier said he has roots among the Luhya, noting that tribalism must not be a deterrent to people’s goals.
Source- http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/InsidePage.php?id=2000042192&cid=521&story=The%20politics%20in%20Raila%20Junior%E2%80%99s%20wedding
