The push to make Prime Minister Raila Odinga a Kikuyu elder got fresh impetus after more than 100 elders endorsed the move. But the Friday meeting at a Kiambu  hotel postponed the event initially planned for July 20. Instead, elders and delegates from the community will hold a consultative forum at the Bomas of Kenya on the same day. Raila has been invited.

The elders resolved former Cabinet minister Njenga Karume and businessman-cum politician Peter Kuguru, co-chair the Bomas session. The secretary to the Kikuyu Council of Elders John Wainana Njuguna said they had postponed the ceremony to allow for further consultations.

Mr Peter Kuguru addresses the Press after a meeting to discuss the installation of Raila Odinga as a Kikuyu elder. With him is Mr Stephen Kakenia

He said they want to ensure the procedure is followed when crowning Raila a Kikuyu elder.

Njuguna said they have chosen elders to ensure the ceremony is done according to Kikuyu customs.

He said Kikuyu elders were not opposed to the ceremony but wanted proper steps followed.

“We have postponed the ceremony to allow for wider consultations and ensure the right procedures are followed. We wanted to ensure it was all-inclusive process,” said Njuguna.

He said the ceremony is part of a wider agenda for the Kikuyu to connect with other communities in the spirit of national healing and cohesion.

“It is not just about the Kikuyu and the Luo. It will be spread to cover the entire country,” he said.

He said it is important for the community to work with others to ensure they can bargain for a good position as when Kibaki leaves in 2012.

The meeting at Wida High Way Motel brought together representatives from Central, Eastern and Rift Valley provinces. Two archbishops, Samson Gaitho and John Mugecha Karume, were present.

Karume did not attend the meeting but sent a representative, Mr Kimani Gakenia, who chaired the Friday meeting.