Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga yesterday criticised Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over his calls that land belonging to the family of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta be used to settle Mau Mau liberation veterans.

Raila, who spoke at Lee Funeral Home while paying homage to Mukami Kimathi, the widow of Mau Mau leader Dedan Kimathi, said it was the responsibility of the government to ensure land was made available to settle the veterans.

Mukami died on Thursday evening and yesterday, the Deputy President went to console the bereaved family.

On Friday, Gachagua said: “In consultation with the family, we have agreed that the funeral service will be held on May 13, 2023, at her home in Njabini, Nyandarua county.”

The Deputy President made the remarks after hosting the family of Mukami at Harambee House Annex.

He said President Ruto will lead the government in giving Mukami a befitting send-off.

In Nairobi yesterday, Raila said the matter of settling Mau Mau veterans should not be politicised.

“If someone is genuine and wants to help them he knows what to do. Nobody should try to single out a person or family. This is a responsibility of the government to look for land,” he said.

The former Prime Minister said the country had vast land lying idle and this can be used to settle survivors.

Last month Gachagua said the Kenyatta family should donate land to the Mau Mau.

At the same time, Raila said the funeral service for Mukami should be held at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi.

“I would wish the final State funeral service in honor of the late Maitu Mukami Kimathi be held at Uhuru Gardens where Mau Mau freedom fighters were being tortured,” he said.

Raila further backed proposals to have the body of Kimathi to be exhumed for a joint burial with his widow.

Until her death, Mukami had been advocating for the exhumation of the remains of her husband from Kamiti Prison.

Official government records show that Kimathi was captured by the colonial administration in 1956 at Kahi-gaini in the Aberdare ranges and executed in 1957 at Kamiti Prison. Mau Mau veteran Githu Kahengeri said Mukami should be honoured as a freedom hero.

“She fought for the freedom of our country. We pray that the remains of her husband be brought so that both can be buried on the same day in Njabini in Kinangop,” Kahengeri said.

President William Ruto has set up a team that will oversee the funeral arrangements for Mukami.

It will be chaired by Interior PS Raymond Omollo while Nyandarua Governor Moses Badilisha will chair the committee at the county level.