Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga on Friday struck a delicate balance between grief and humor during the national funeral service of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Nyayo Stadium. His tribute to his late brother filled with emotion, warmth, and wit gave mourners a glimpse into the deep bond shared between the two brothers.
Speaking with visible emotion, Oburu described Raila not just as a sibling but as his lifelong confidant and adviser. “He was my friend, my age-mate, my adviser, and my confidant he was everything, including a business partner,” he said. The senator revealed that the two had always been close, almost like twins, with only a year and two months separating them in age.
Oburu disclosed a deeply personal detail that Raila passed away on his own birthday, October 15, 1943, making the loss even more painful. He praised his brother as a man of integrity and discipline, recalling how Raila was never tolerant of dishonesty or mediocrity. “If you came across him with lies, his left hand was very fast he would teach you to always be truthful,” Oburu said, drawing laughter from the mourners.
Despite being the elder of the two, Oburu said he always viewed Raila as his political mentor and leader. He vowed to continue his brother’s legacy, pledging not to disappoint after being chosen by ODM to succeed Raila as party leader.
In a lighthearted twist that lifted the solemn mood, Oburu introduced his two wives to the mourners. “If I don’t introduce them to you, they might feel jealous and refuse to give me food,” he joked, sparking laughter across the stadium. He introduced Dr Ann Ayoo Oburu, his first wife and a paediatrician, before welcoming Judith Oburu, his second wife and an accountant at NSSF.
His humor brought a moment of warmth to the ceremony, reflecting the Odinga family’s enduring spirit even in the face of loss.
