By Hope Barbra
The Raila Amolo Odinga memorial conference will be held in August this year in Nairobi at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang Nyong’o made the announcement after meeting with the Vice Chancellor of Daystar University, Prof. Laban Ayiro, the convenor of the conference, in Nairobi.
“It is within this intellectual and historical context that Daystar University has convened the RAO2026 Memorial Conference, under the theme ‘Future-Proofing Democracy: Resilience, Adaptation and Opportunity,’” he said.
Nyong’o said the conference, scheduled for August 2026 at the iconic Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, will bring together scholars, political leaders, researchers, policymakers, and citizens to interrogate the evolving democratic landscape in Kenya and beyond.
“Today I had the privilege of receiving a delegation from Daystar University led by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Laban Ayiro, for consultations on an important forthcoming scholarly undertaking, the RAO2026 Memorial Conference on Communication and Politics,” he said.
Also present at the meeting were Levy Obonyo, Chair of the Conference Council, alongside County Executive Committee Members John Awiti (Education) and George Okong’o (Finance), as well as officials from both the County Government and Daystar University.
Nyong’o said few figures in the country’s national life have shaped the democratic imagination of Kenya as profoundly as the late Raila Amollo Odinga.
“His political journey, marked by resilience, principled struggle and an unwavering commitment to social justice, left an indelible imprint not only on Kenya but on the wider African democratic project,” he said.
He said Raila’s influence on political culture, civic consciousness, and the evolving norms of governance cannot be gainsaid.
“Indeed, the study of Raila Odinga’s public life offers a rich repository of lessons for scholars and practitioners alike, lessons in leadership, moral courage, intergenerational influence, strategic communication, and the delicate art of navigating complex political transitions,” he said.
The Governor said Raila’s career stands as a masterclass in decision-making under pressure, the capacity to adapt to shifting historical moments, and the disciplined dynamism required to remain faithful to enduring democratic principles.
“The gathering will provide an important platform for reflection and dialogue on the enduring legacy of Raila Amollo Odinga and on the continuing task before us: to deepen democracy, strengthen accountable governance, and nurture institutions capable of sustaining the aspirations of our people.
The pursuit of democratic renewal is not a singular event but a continuous intellectual and civic enterprise,” he said.
Prof. Ayiro said it was an honor to consult with Prof. Nyong’o on the forthcoming RAO2026 Memorial Conference on Communication and Politics, which Daystar University will host in August 2026 at KICC, Nairobi.
“The conference, under the theme ‘Future-Proofing Democracy: Resilience, Adaptation and Opportunity,’ will provide a vital platform for scholars, leaders, policymakers, and citizens to reflect on the enduring legacy of the Right Honourable Raila Amollo Odinga and to engage the continuing task of strengthening democracy, accountable governance, and resilient institutions in Kenya and beyond,” he said.
