By Anderson Ojwang
The enigma, the late Raila Amolo Odinga, saw it all in life, and now, in death, the trend of betrayal by close allies has continued to play out, even at his recent first anniversary.
The words of his former personal assistant, Mr Silas Ouko Jakakimba, capture it all: “Behind Raila’s smile lay scars, neglect by close allies after losing presidential elections.”
Jakakimba, an aide for 18 years, observed that Raila was often deserted and that some of his political allies shifted their alliances following his presidential losses.
He said Raila was often deserted by most of his political allies with whom he had dined at the time he needed them most.
Jakakimba revealed that Raila’s mobile phones rang less after the losses than during the campaigns and electioneering periods.
“There were days during the campaigns towards the general elections when we had to carry even four power banks to recharge his phones since they were constantly ringing throughout,” he said.
From Jakakimba’s revelation, Raila died with deep scars of betrayal by his trusted allies, which did not end with his death but have continued to manifest to date.
The boycott and betrayal in ODM
The Orange Democratic Movement, the party Raila founded, transformed into a mass movement and a formidable outfit in the country. However, its leadership was conspicuously absent from the first anniversary on 15 October 2026 at Migwena Grounds in Bondo.
Leading the list of absentees were party national chairperson Gladys Wanga, Cabinet Secretaries John Mbadi, Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya, Minority Leader in the National Assembly Junet Mohammed, and several members of parliament and senators from the party.
Interestingly, these faces were also missing from the plane that left the country on 15 October 2025 to collect Raila’s body from India, where he had gone for treatment.
The only person on the plane from the party’s top leadership was the then ODM Secretary-General, Edwin Sifuna, while the other top party leaders remained behind to effect leadership changes.
The attacks
Mama Ida Odinga said the attacks on her by once-close family allies were because their boycott had failed to undermine the success of the anniversary.
“The ODM boycotted the anniversary thinking it would fail. They were shocked by the success, and that is why they are reacting the way they are doing. It is unfortunate and sad, but I am happy Raila got the best and most befitting anniversary in his name,” she said.
Mama Ida said Raila was a person with a big heart and never held any grudges, which was why everyone was free to attend his anniversary.
Mbadi, once a frequent visitor to Raila’s home, led the attacks on Mama Ida and her family, saying other women were also capable of giving birth to leaders.
“I want to tell you this: we followed the late Raila Odinga because of the stand he took and the sacrifices he made for us as a nation. The love we had for Raila cannot be transferred to somebody else unless you convince us that you match the respect and honour we had for him,” he said.
Mbadi said any woman was capable of giving birth to a leader and that he would vie for the presidency in 2032.
“There are people who think that they are the only ones who can give birth to leaders. Every woman has the capacity to bring forth leaders. That is why I have problems with those who think the president should only come from their areas. Even here in the Lake Region, we are capable of producing a president. I am ready to run for president in 2032.”
Joho continued with the tirade, saying they would not be cowed by a passing cloud.
“Who are you to tell us that Raila’s spirit and aspirations are not here? We have been around for 20 years. Who are you to tell us that Raila’s dreams and aspirations are not here? How do you know?
We know a lot, and if we need to speak, we shall speak. If we speak, some of you will run away. We have a focus on building the party and looking at the future. We cannot leave ODM, and do not be scared if they come; we, too, will face them. Do not be scared by a passing cloud,” he said.
Rebuttal
Linda Mwananchi presidential aspirant Edwin Sifuna took a swipe at Mbadi over his remarks that loyalty could not be transferred, describing him as an ungrateful person.
Former Alego MP Sammy Weya said ODM leaders must respect Mama Ida and Raila’s legacy.
“I am deeply concerned and disappointed by the manner in which some political leaders have chosen to speak about Mama Ida Odinga and her family following the passing of her beloved husband, the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga.
At a time when the family deserves compassion, dignity and the space to mourn, we should be demonstrating humanity, restraint and respect. Political differences must never become an excuse to disrespect a widow who stood beside one of Kenya’s most consequential political leaders throughout his long and difficult journey,” he wrote.
Weya said Raila was not just an individual; he represented a family, a movement, a political tradition and an infrastructure of struggle that created opportunities for many people in the country.
“Many of those who occupy positions of leadership today benefited, directly or indirectly, from the political space, networks, sacrifices and opportunities created through Raila’s long struggle for democracy, constitutional reform, devolution and freedom of expression.
It is therefore deeply troubling when some who benefited from that history appear so quick to disregard the dignity of the very family that stood beside him through the difficult years,” he said.
Weya warned leaders engaging in disrespectful rhetoric that politics and positions were temporary.
“What goes around comes around. The words and deeds we direct at others today may one day be directed at us or the people we love.
We do not have to agree on politics, succession, leadership or the future of any movement. However, we must agree that bereavement is not an opportunity for humiliation, provocation or political point-scoring,” he said.
