On Sunday night, Rabai MP William Kamoti died in a road accident at Mnarani in Kilifi. Just hours before, he had been cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to defend his seat on the ODM ticket.
On Monday, Azimio la Umoja One Kenya presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga attended Kamoti's burial at his Kaliang'ombe village in Rabai sub-county. Odinga called on local leaders and residents to engage in consultations and pick someone to replace Kamoti before the IEBC deadline.
“I urge you to start immediate consultations and arrive at a name that will be forwarded within time to IEBC,” Odinga said.
William Kamoti had been Rabai MP since 2013. He was eulogized by leaders as a humble and loyal politician. Odinga described him as a dependable politician, saying he had a meeting with Kamoti and other Kilifi ODM legislators in Nairobi last week to strategize on party campaigns.
However, the burial was not without controversy. Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi, who had ditched Azimio la Umoja for Deputy President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza Alliance, was present. Kingi and Odinga came face to face, but refrained from politics, saying they came to condole with the family and the Rabai electorate.
Local leaders proposed that Kamoti's kin be picked to replace him as ODM candidate. National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi described Kamoti as a humble and courteous man who was not confrontational in the House and outside.
“Hon Kamoti will be remembered for his immense contribution while serving in the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs as well as the Committee on Delegated Legislation where he was a very resourceful member,” Muturi said in his condolence message.
