"We have this morning lost another great son of our nation, a great fighter who stood up for
the truth no matter the consequences.
The death of Waruru Kanja ends and era. It is the era of the politics of principle and ideals that his demise moves to a close.
The Son of Wairimu was among the venerable political leaders who guided Kenya through its early years of tumult by speaking truth to power and insisting that as a nation, we must stick to the ideals of the founding fathers.
I was with Mr Kanja in Hospital about a month ago, and I can testify that he did well as a leader and he remained true to his beliefs and must have died a free man, at peace with his conscience because he did and said all the right things that Kenya needed in its formative years.
It is sad that even the seemingly indestructible Kanja has had to depart from us. It is a handing over of sorts with Kenya marking its 50 years of independence.
We mourn with his family and friends and celebrate his life and times."
Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga
Leader of the Coalition for Reform and Democracy - Kenya
It is with great sadness that I have learnt of the death of Margaret Thatcher, the former Prime Minister of Britain.
I take this opportunity to wish well her family, the Conservative Party and the people of Britain.
Mrs Thatcher will go down in history not only as Britain's first female prime minister, but as a pioneer of many important ideas that transformed not only her country but many nations across the globe, including Kenya.
She pioneered a closer scrutiny of what the role of the state should be in the lives of citizens, a debate that rages to date, and which led to improved conditions for many people in many nations.
Many features of the modern economic governance like privatisation, deregulation, size of government, free trade, among others, owe their rise and popularity to her tenure when she tried to stem economic decline in her country.
She popularized the idea that a functioning economy is at the centre of freedom with sayings l like “there is no liberty unless there is economic liberty.”
Margaret Thatcher fired up women’s involvement in politics and public life with famous remarks like; “if you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.”
She may be gone, but the ideals she bequeathed the world will inspire generations to come.
May she rest in eternal peace.
Rt. Hon. Raila A. Odinga, EGH,
PRIME MINISTER;
Monday, April 8, 2013.
