Piece by: JAMES MBAKA

22 May 2023

• Raila faulted people in leadership for leading the campaign for the humiliation of Uhuru yet they expect to be accorded respect once they leave office.

• Raila said respect for retired leaders is what happens in civilised nations.

Azimio boss Raila Odinga has called for the respect of retired national leaders, saying Kenyans should reject the harassment and humiliation of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

He said that in recent months, there has been very ''uncouth, primitive and unwarranted attacks'' on the person and the property of former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his family including the founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

''Nothing could be more uncouth than what we have witnessed in this regard especially when it comes from men and women who call themselves leaders who expect to be respected once they retire unless they want to die in office," Raila said.

The opposition leader commended Uhuru for his humility and decorum for what he termed as the stability of the country, Raila said no retired President should be disrespected.

''I must commend my brother and our fourth President Uhuru Kenyatta for the dignity and decorum with which he has borne the insults and abuses for the sake of the stability of the nation and the dignity of Kenya's presidency,'' Raila said.

''I thank Uhuru for choosing to fly high when they have hit an extreme law.''

Speaking during the Jubilee National Delegates Convention at the Ngong' Racecourse on Monday, Raila said respect for retired leaders is what happens in civilised nations.

''I call for the respect of retired leaders not because Uhuru is in Azimio, I say so because it is what I believe in and it is what civilised people should believe in,'' Raila said.

''As we push for respect for political parties, we want to make a heartfelt call in our country to respect leaders who have served our country and handed over the baton to others.''

Raila reminded Kenyans how some cabinet ministers wanted former President Daniel Moi harassed after handing over power to Mwai Kibaki in 2002 saying he stood firm and said no.

''I said no to the intended frustrations for a man who had held various leadership positions before independence and headed to be our president for 24 years,'' he said.

Raila faulted people in leadership for leading the campaign for the humiliation of Uhuru yet they expect to be accorded respect once they leave office.