Rousing welcome for flashy politician Don Bosco Gichana
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka (second right) and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi (second left) during the homecoming celebration of Don Bosco Gichana (right) who was freed from a Tanzania prison last month. PHOTO | DENNIS KAVISU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Don Bosco Gichana's ‘homecoming’ was boycotted by politicians from the Abagusii community led by area MP Jimmy Angwenyi.
- Village elders used the occasion to install Don Bosco Gichana as a Kisii elder.
- Mr Sudi, who is an in-law to the Gichanas, attributed the politician’s release to the power of prayer.
Flamboyant Kisii politician Don Bosco Gichana on Friday returned to his rural home in Kisii County to a rousing welcome.
Mr Gichana, popularly known as ‘the Don’ — and best remembered for donating a Hummer vehicle to opposition leader Raila Odinga ahead of the 2007 general election — landed at his Rikenye home in Kitutu Chache North Sub-County with three helicopters in tow before attending a memorial service in honour of his late mother at the local Catholic church.
The ‘homecoming’ for the youthful politician — who has spent the last five years in detention in neighbouring Tanzania — was, however, boycotted by politicians from the Abagusii community led by area MP Jimmy Angwenyi and his Kitutu Chache South counterpart Richard Onyonka.
Mr Gichana, whose mother passed on while he was serving time in an Arusha prison for money laundering, was moved to tears as he laid a wreath on her grave. “My mother was a prayerful woman and I attribute my release to her prayers and those of my family members and the community,” he said.
KISII ELDER
Village elders used the occasion to install him as a Kisii elder.
Addressing the gathering which included Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, Mr Gichana downplayed speculation that he was using the ‘homecoming’ celebration to revive his political career.
“Some people say I have started campaigns. I want to say this is not true. I will only use this time to do some reflection on what I will do. Today, I am here to thank the Lord for bringing me this far,” he said.
Mr Sudi, who is an in-law to the Gichanas, attributed the politician’s release to the power of prayer. “We have nobody to thank for this but God,” he told the gathering.
He revealed how they spent around Sh100 million to ensure Mr Gichana secured his freedom.
GREAT FRIENDS
“We tried our political friends but failed, little did we know that God’s help was on the way, and we thank Him for this,” Mr Sudi said.
Arusha Urban MP Godbless Mlema said he met Mr Gichana in prison and became great friends. “He is a man of courage and determination,” said Mr Mlema.
Mr Gichana later headed to Gusii Stadium where he thanked his supporters. “There were youth here who held protests to ensure I was freed, to you I say a big thank you,” he said.
Mr Musyoka, who frequently visited Mr Gichana in prison, criticised his incarceration, terming it a travesty of justice. “Never in life should we condemn people to such cruel treatment. It is inhumane,” he said.
