Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has said that the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s legacy is far too deep and transformative to be replaced by any single person.
Speaking on Citizen TV on Tuesday morning, Kibwana noted that Raila’s influence transcends politics, shaping Kenya’s democratic culture and civic consciousness for generations.
“Raila’s legacy is not just political. He taught Kenyans to stand up for justice, fairness, and constitutional governance,” Kibwana said. “Even when Raila was alive, young Kenyans could agitate for the Constitution to work, for corruption to end, and for the country to function better. The seed of democracy has already been sown.”
Kibwana emphasized that Raila’s enduring impact lies in his ability to empower citizens to resist injustice and demand accountability from those in power. “One thing Raila has taught Kenyans is that they have a right to resist whatever is not fair,” he stated. “Even when he decided to work with the current President, young Kenyans continued to uphold that principle.”
According to the former governor, Raila’s moral authority and national stature allowed him to mobilize the country behind major reforms that others could not achieve. “Raila occupied a special place because he could get the country to do certain things which nobody else could,” he said.
Kibwana added that Raila’s vision of justice, unity, and reform will continue to thrive through the collective efforts of Kenyans dedicated to protecting democracy. “You cannot replace Raila with one person but with several people,” he remarked.
His comments come as the nation continues to honour Raila Odinga, who was laid to rest on Sunday, October 19, at his Kang’o Ka’Jaramogi home after a grand state funeral. The event attracted national and international dignitaries, underscoring Raila’s towering influence in Kenya and across Africa.
