Former Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju has appealed to the public to shun political violence, emphasizing that politicians can maintain strong friendships regardless of party affiliations.

Speaking to mourners at a gathering in Asembo, his home constituency, Mr. Tuju highlighted the camaraderie among politicians, noting that he regularly shares breakfast with the current Head of Public Service, irrespective of their political differences.

“Politics is just politics,” he stated. “It’s never a do-or-die affair. In 2022, I was championing for ODM leader Raila Odinga to become the fifth President of this country. Back in 2017, I was working for my former boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta, to win.”

Mr. Tuju continued, “Today, Mr. Felix Koskei, the Head of Public Service, is a senior official in the Kenya Kwanza government, and he takes tea at my hotel almost every day. We are friends, and there’s no fear of him suspecting me of any ill intentions. It’s just politics.”

Having left active politics after a 20-year tenure since his first election in 2002, Mr. Tuju urged all leaders to prioritize providing better services and infrastructure for local communities.

A seasoned journalist turned politician, Mr. Tuju entered politics in 2002 and secured the Rarieda constituency seat on a NARC ticket.

His luck continued when he was appointed Minister for Information.

Despite hailing from the Nyanza region, a stronghold of Mr. Raila Odinga for over three decades, Mr. Tuju’s alignment with the late President Mwai Kibaki led to a fallout with Odinga.

His decision to maintain ties with the government, despite opposition from many in his Luo community, resulted in losing his seat in 2007. He contested on a PNU ticket in a region where the Orange party, led by Raila, enjoyed political hegemony.