On 15th October, 2025, shortly before 9 a.m, I woke up to a thunderbolt as the news of the passing away of Raila Odinga was an unthinkable that sank in.
Since my childhood, I admired how Odinga shaped and controlled the pulse of Kenya’s political landscape. He was an icon who knew when to go full throttle and when to tightly press on the brake pedals of Kenya’s politics.
I first came to know about Odinga after the KANU government was shoved out of power in 2002, a historical moment for Kenya as it offered a new lease of life into Kenya’s prosperity, both economically and politically.
I extol Odinga as an icon who was indefatigable at fighting for Kenya’s democracy, electoral justice, human rights and the new Constitution.
Democracy
It will be an injustice to talk about the freedoms we all enjoy without mentioning Odinga’s instrumental role. Alongside other icons including Kenneth Matiba and Charles Rubia, Odinga helped in the fight for multiparty democracy in Kenya.
Odinga would call on his supporters to take to the streets whenever he felt the powers that be had frozen Kenyans out. It would sometimes turn into a violent and deadly confrontation between the police and his supporters. This served as a strong reminder at the sacrifices and price that have to be paid in a bid to achieve democratic reforms.
Electoral Justice
To day, the only political rally I have ever attended was Odinga’s NASA rally that was held in Eldoret’s 64 Stadium in July 2017. I was lucky to have thronged the stadium early enough hence getting a space that was close to the podium.
As soon as Odinga arrived, the DJ played Hellenah Ken’s Mambo Yabadilika hit, a masterpiece that fired my soul in the quest for a change of leadership.
Odinga among other NASA principals led thousands of Kenyans in observing a minute of silence in honour of IEBC ICT Director Chris Msando who had been tortured and strangled to death.
That day, Odinga was dressed in a blend of both traditional and political attire. He wore a white long-sleeved shirt that had small stripes of green, blue, black and orange that run vertically on the upper chest. A red-checkered Maasai shuka was draped over the right shoulder. His dressing was complete with a blue fedora style hat that was branded with the word NASA.
Odinga’s speech was a message of hope that Kenyans were going to vote for him on 8th, August 2017. He however sent a message that IEBC conduct the elections in a free and fair way, noting that the results as announced in the constituency tallying centres should be final.
“The elections must be held within provisions of the law,” he said.
When the results were announced, Odinga was unsuccessful in his bid and took a petition to the Supreme Court which declared the elections null void. This was another Kenyan historical moment that Odinga cemented. Odinga has helped sculpture Kenya’s electoral reforms that today makes it difficult to conduct dubious elections.
And despite what many may describe as a curs£ because of his inability to capture power, I believe this was a narrative by powerful figures into manipulating people to accept dubious electoral processes.
Odinga had a forgiving heart
Given his ability to join hands with his foes and burying the hatchet, I extol Odinga as a man who had a forgiving heart.
At times we may harbour intents to revenge against our enemies but it is worth remembering that vengeance leaves no winners. In fact, it leaves wounded souls on both sides.
Odinga’s resilience was like that of an old Ford tractor. Despite losing four times in his bid to become Kenya’s president, he still attempted the fifth and was unsuccessful. However, that did not kill his political spirit and he still remained as strong as an oak in Kenya’s political landscape.
Final message
An Icon has fallen but his spirit endures. The country shall live to remember Raila Amolo Odinga.
May the soul of Odinga rest in eternal peace.