The rolling hills of Bondo fell silent on Sunday as Kenya bid farewell to Raila Amolo Odinga, a man whose name has been woven into every chapter of the nation’s political journey. The former Prime Minister, revered for his unwavering commitment to democracy and social justice, was laid to rest at his rural home amid tears, tributes, and the echo of a 17-gun salute.
Odinga, 80, passed away in India last Wednesday while receiving medical treatment. His homecoming turned into a national pilgrimage — a moving testament to the deep affection Kenyans held for the man many called “Baba,” the father of the nation’s democratic struggle.
From Nairobi to Kisumu, thousands thronged the streets to pay their final respects, waving flags, singing liberation songs, and weeping openly as the cortege passed. By the time his body arrived in Bondo, the air was heavy with emotion. The final resting place beside his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president and independence hero, symbolized the completion of a powerful generational circle.
A Nation United in Mourning
The burial brought together leaders across Kenya’s often divided political landscape — a rare moment of unity in a country accustomed to tension and rivalry.
President William Ruto, who formed a political pact with Odinga earlier this year, stood beside his former rival to honor his memory. “I am very proud today,” he said, his voice thick with emotion, “that Raila Amolo Odinga is being laid to rest when one of his own students — a man he mentored — is now president of Kenya.”
Odinga’s casket, draped in the national flag, was surrounded by Kenyan soldiers who saluted the fallen leader as the army’s guns thundered one last time in his honor. Nearby, wailing mourners broke through the security cordon, desperate for a final glimpse of the man who had spent a lifetime fighting for them.
For four days, the country had been gripped by scenes of grief — public viewings filled stadiums, songs of freedom echoed across cities, and prayers rose into the sky. But the mourning came with tragedy: five people lost their lives and hundreds were injured in stampedes, reflecting both the love and chaos that have long defined Kenya’s relationship with its most fiery reformer.
The Man Who Refused to Give Up
Raila Odinga’s political story is one of resilience, courage, and sacrifice. Despite contesting five presidential elections without victory, he remained a towering figure of hope for millions. He fought against one-party rule, endured detention, survived political betrayals, and still emerged as a unifying voice for justice.
Even in his later years, Odinga never stopped seeking solutions for Africa. He mediated regional conflicts, pushed for continental unity, and ran for the African Union chairmanship, reflecting a vision that extended beyond Kenya’s borders.
Former AU Deputy Chairperson Erastus Mwencha described him as “a true Pan-Africanist whose influence transcended politics — a man whose dream was not only for Kenya but for the entire continent.”
As Prime Minister in 2010, Odinga was instrumental in ushering in Kenya’s new constitution, a milestone that redefined governance and citizen rights. That legacy — of reform, endurance, and national dialogue — remains his greatest gift to the nation.
The Legacy Lives On
Odinga’s passing leaves behind a void that will not be easily filled. But in the chants of the mourners, the songs of freedom that accompanied his coffin, and the speeches that recalled his relentless spirit, one message stood clear: Raila Odinga may be gone, but his dream lives on.
He is survived by his wife, Ida Odinga, and their children Rosemary, Raila Junior, and Winnie Odinga — a family that stood beside him through decades of struggle, exile, and triumph.
As the sun set over Bondo, the guns fell silent, and the crowds slowly dispersed. Kenya had laid to rest not just a political figure, but a symbol of endurance — a man who taught a nation how to fight, how to forgive, and how to keep believing.
