Kenya’s longtime opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Raila Amolo Odinga, was laid to rest on Sunday in a solemn state funeral at his ancestral home in Kang’o ka Jaramogi, Bondo, Siaya County.
The ceremony, attended by thousands of mourners, was marked by full military honors, political unity, and emotional tributes that reflected the late leader’s towering influence on Kenya’s democracy and political history.
At precisely 4:58 p.m., the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) fired a 17-gun salute as Odinga’s flag-draped casket was lowered into the grave beside his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, and his mother, Mary Ajuma.
The thunderous gunfire – emitting white smokes, echoed across the quiet Bondo countryside, symbolizing a final farewell to one of Africa’s most enduring reformists. A KDF honor guard later presented the folded Kenyan flag to Odinga’s widow, Ida, in recognition of her husband’s lifelong service to the nation he tried to lead as President on five attempts.
The day’s ceremony was attended by President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who stood side by side in a rare moment of unity. Other leaders present included Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP–Kenya’s Eugene Wamalwa, ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, and Chief of Defence Forces Charles Kahariri.
Governors James Orengo of Siaya, Gladys Wanga of Homa Bay, and Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o of Kisumu also led delegations from the Nyanza region in paying tribute to the fallen leader.
The funeral service, conducted under Anglican rites, reflected Odinga’s wishes for a modest and dignified farewell. In line with his instructions, there were no extravagant feasts or flamboyant displays, only solemn prayers, hymns, and quiet reflection.
Religious leaders praised Odinga as a man of peace, tolerance, and unyielding commitment to justice. The Rt. Rev. Bishop David Kodia, who presided over the service, urged Kenyans to emulate Odinga’s humility and courage in standing up for truth.
As the ceremony progressed, the late Odinga’s signature cap and fly whisk symbol deeply associated with his political persona were placed on his coffin before it was lowered. These artifacts, long seen as extensions of his identity, evoked memories of his passionate rallies and his charismatic leadership style.
Some local elders, however, expressed differing opinions, suggesting the items should have been preserved in a museum to honor his legacy for future generations.
President Ruto, in his tribute, described Odinga as a statesman who believed in a better Kenya for all. He praised his former rival’s relentless pursuit of justice, saying Odinga’s life “reminds us that patriotism means putting country above self.” He described Raila as the People’s President.
Former President Kenyatta called Raila “a true patriot who dedicated his life to defending democracy, even when it cost him dearly.” Their shared stage was viewed by many as a powerful symbol of reconciliation in Kenya’s often divided political landscape.
Kalonzo Musyoka, Odinga’s long-time ally and former running mate, spoke with emotion about their decades of political partnership. He recalled the sacrifices Odinga made in the struggle for multiparty democracy, noting that “his courage, perseverance, and sense of duty transformed Kenya forever.”
Eugene Wamalwa added that Odinga’s legacy will live on not through monuments, but through the democratic freedoms Kenyans now enjoy.
Odinga’s funeral was not only a political event but also a deeply cultural and spiritual moment for the Luo community. Traditional songs, ululations, and prayers mixed with Christian hymns as mourners paid their respects.
Family members and close associates laid wreaths beside the grave, including President Ruto, former President Kenyatta, Ida Odinga, and Odinga’s children. Thousands of Kenyans watched the ceremony live on television and online, many expressing grief and admiration in equal measure.
Raila Odinga, who died on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in India while undergoing treatment, had wished to be buried within 72 hours of his passing. His family honored that request, emphasizing his preference for simplicity and dignity.
His death marked the end of an era in Kenya’s political history, an era defined by the struggle for justice, freedom, and constitutional reform.
Born in 1945, Raila Odinga was the son of Kenya’s first Vice President, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. He trained as an engineer in East Germany but returned home to join politics, where he became a key figure in the fight against authoritarianism.
His nine years of detention under Daniel arap Moi’s regime hardened his resolve to fight for democracy. He played a central role in restoring multiparty politics in 1992 and later championed the constitutional reforms that culminated in the 2010 Constitution.
Odinga served as Prime Minister in the Grand Coalition Government from 2008 to 2013, following the disputed 2007 elections. Throughout his political career, he ran for the presidency five times 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022 each campaign marked by resilience and a promise of reform.
Though he never ascended to the presidency, his influence on Kenya’s governance, human rights, and social justice remains immeasurable.
As the sun dipped below the horizon over Lake Victoria, the final military salute faded into silence. The crowd stood still, some in tears, others waving small Kenyan flags in tribute. It was the closing chapter of a life that had profoundly shaped Kenya’s destiny.
In his death, as in his life, Raila Odinga united a divided nation, if only for a moment. His burial, blending state protocol, faith, and cultural symbolism, reminded Kenyans of his enduring message: that freedom, justice, and unity are worth every struggle.
Raila died on Wednesday October 15 in India aged 80.
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