The nation came together in mourning on Sunday as the funeral service of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga was held at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Bondo, Siaya County. Thousands of mourners, including political leaders, dignitaries, and international guests, gathered to pay their final respects to one of Kenya’s most influential political figures.
President William Ruto led the mourners at the solemn ceremony, arriving in the company of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, and other distinguished guests. The event symbolized a rare moment of unity in Kenya’s political landscape, as leaders from across the divide came together to honor Raila’s enduring legacy.
The Odinga family, led by Mama Ida Odinga, Senator Oburu Oginga, Ruth Odinga, Rosemary Odinga, Winnie Odinga, and Raila Junior Odinga, had arrived earlier to welcome mourners. The emotional service featured moving tributes that highlighted Raila’s decades-long struggle for democracy, justice, and national unity.
In his eulogy, President Ruto praised Raila as a “true patriot who dedicated his life to fighting for Kenya’s freedom and democracy,” noting that his sacrifices had left an indelible mark on the nation’s history. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta described Raila as “a statesman whose influence transcended politics,” while Obasanjo recalled his close friendship with the late leader, calling him “a man of principle and courage.”
Following the service, Raila Odinga will be laid to rest at his Opoda Farm in Bondo, marking the end of an era for one of Kenya’s most iconic and transformative leaders. The nation continues to reflect on his life’s work, which reshaped Kenya’s political and democratic landscape for generations to come.
