By Anderson Ojwang

“For Raila Amolo Odinga’s team. It was a calling. A calling to be part of the struggle. A calling to sacrifice and give your all to the mission. A calling to face death and enemy head on. A calling to bite the bullet and if you survived, you wake up again tomorrow to continue from where you left.

We saw gallants fall by the roadside to the bullets, machetes and knives stabs those never dampened our hearts. The resolve was so strong that nothing was going stop us, if anything it fired us up to fight harder. We carried our pain and scars proudly as a mark of honor for the struggle of a better Kenya. A struggle which was organic and voluntary.

 It was the struggle for a better Kenya. A prosperous county. Kenya our motherland. Raila was our commander. We obeyed and followed without questioning. The Raila I knew.

The battle for Nyanza

After the death of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Nyanza became the battle front. The first battle zone was between the current Siaya Governor James Orengo and Raila.

Orengo had a clique of reporters in our Kisumu Bureau allied to him while I remained Raila’s point man. While my colleagues covered Orengo, I stuck with Raila, and our friendship blossomed and I grew the brand.

One Friday, the feared and renown brown pick up full of youths drove and parked outside our Standard Tivoli office.

The presence of that vehicle could send shivers across one’s spines; they had been enraged by what they termed as negative reporting against Raila and support for Orengo.

Some of my colleagues had gone for lunch while other had disappeared at the site of the vehicle.

In the office, I remained with the office Messenger the late Mary Omari. When they entered the office, Mary panicked but I walked over from my workstation and welcomed them.

The rough and blood shot eyes softened when they saw me, and we engaged in a short conversation and they left. That was the first and last time, they ever visited and threatened a Standard journalist.

During the battle for the control of Nyanza, between Orengo, Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyongo, former Rangwe MP Dr Shem Ochuodho and former Foreign Affairs Minister Raphael Tuju against Raila, I would get advance intelligence reports on the later schedule.

I would be at the venue ahead of Raila’s arrival, mingle with the public, gather intelligence and get the feelings of the crowd.

I became part of the crowd, and few would identify me as a journalist. Most people knew my name but could not put a face to the name.

Once Raila has arrived at the venue and speeches were nearing climax, I would walk to the main dais. I had unfettered access to Jakom. I would stand close to him and within three minutes I would have passed over the message and disappeared back to the thin air.

The 2005 Referendum and the attack

In the 2005 referendum, the government wing which supported the Banana symbol for the constitutional draft were enraged by the kind of publicity the orange team were receiving courtesy of my headline stories.

One Sunday, the team was in Kakamega and in the convoy were Vice President Moody Awori, Canine minister Dr Mukhisa Kiituyi, Musikari Kombo among other too government officials and leaders from the region.

I had a headline story how the team received Orange salute in Kakamega. The next day, Monday, the team had town hall meeting in one of the hotels in Kakamega.

I was assigned to cover that function. Little did I know that, it had been leaked to the banana team that “Raila’s reporter had been sent to the function.”

We arrived at the function by 9.00pm. Western leaders were so enraged by the newspaper report, and they kept lamenting throughout the session.

Outside, goons had been dispatched to look for Anderson Ojwang. They kept looking and trying to identify who this Ojwang was. This was until 3.00pm, that one of my colleagues sold me out. 

I saw youths charging, my colleagues took off for cover, while KTN cameraman Baraka Karama stood and recorded the unfolded event.

For those hours, I was at the facility, I had learnt various escape routes. And when they attacked, I didn’t give them the chance to harm me. I escaped as they followed me in tow baying for my blood. I lost them in a thicket, sneaked back into the main road, walked for some kilometers and boarded a matatu to Kakamega town.

My colleagues from Nation team led by John Oywa rescued and picked me up from the town and on the way Raila kept calling. Thuon, jogi ofuwo manade. Ok an ema gigoya. Wabiro rakore kodgi. (The Brave, those people are stupid. They should have faced me. We shall meet them), Indeed we met them.

 My Accident

After I got an accident and was admitted at Aga Khan hospital in early 2006. Raila had travelled to the USA. When he returned, he flew to Kisumu. Outside the hospital and the Kisumu Boys -Busia road was teeming with a huge crowd. Kisumu came to a standstill. Ojwang was sick and Jakom had gone to see him.

My doctor, Dr Obondi Otieno and the nurse came to my room and asked if I would allow Raila to visit me. Dr Obondi prepared and told me that I should remain lying flat on the bed because any slight moment may interfere with my spine. 

When Raila entered the room and our eyes locked he said “thuon chung malo wadhi kedo, donge ingeyo ni wan gi lweny. chungi (The brave wake up we are going to the battle. You know we have the battle ahead)

Mysteriously, I woke up from the bed, removed the syringes and walked and greeted Raila Jakom, ategno wadhi lweny (jakom, I am fine, we are going back to the battle).”

After two days, I was discharged and went back to Eldoret, my workstation.

 The making of Arap Mibey

When I was transferred to Eldoret bureau in 2005, I told Raila about it, He told me Thuon dhi mak piny (The brave go and conquer).

In Eldoret, I was able to link up with opinion, Edlers and church leaders from the Kalenjin community and Raila support base.

The late Ker Riaga Ogalo would visit to Eldoret to meet with the Kalenjin Elders to negotiate Luo-Kalenjin alliance. I would attend some of those meetings and be briefed effectively to articulate and implement.

After the negotiations had been reached and Raila was to be installed as Kalenjin elder.  I accompanied the elders and Raila and invited my colleagues to the function.  I wrote a story about the naming of Raila as Arap Mibey  and the entire Kalenjin community supported Raila to a man.

The African Mirror magazine

My friend the late Mwalimu Paul Agali Otula and I held a breakfast meeting with Raila at his Kisumu home when he was the prime minister over our plan to launch a magazine. The African Mirror. He challenged us. I hope you will succeed where I failed. And Indeed, Raila brought other top dignitaries including the late William Ole Ntimama during the launch of the Magazine at Serena Hotel. The magazine was on the streets for three years before it folded. But the dream is still strong and one day, I will become the country’s media mogul.

The famous Luhya prophesy and vote block

Ahead of the 2007, General Elections, Luhya Votes specifically Bukusu community was getting trickier.

One evening, during an evening sitting, my friend Pius Wekesi provoked a thought in me about the famous prophesy of Dini Ya Masamba sect leader Elijah Masinde, prophesy that Luhya leadership will come through the lake.

In my excitement, I sneaked out from my friend and, I called Raila. I told him, Jakom, now we can get the Luhya votes. I explained to him, and he told me thuon, mano ber. Tim kamano. (The brave, that is good. Do it).

The next day, I was in Bungoma meeting the Luhya council of elder Mzee Watta over the story. And indeed, the story changed the political direction of Luhya land and that is how Raila became significant Luhya political player.

 The battle for ODM ticket

The battle for the ODM certificate took an interesting turn after the 2005 referendum and ahead of 2007 elections, Kalonzo Musyoka was claiming the ownership of the party while Raila and his team including William Ruto, Musalia Mudavadi among others were too claiming the party after a fall out.

The party had been registered in the name of the driver and other office employees at the orange secretariat.

One man who held the key to the party and had the certificate was one Chepkonga. Chepkonga had gone back to his rural village of Marakwet. He could not be reached. Kalonzo team and Raila’s were all looking for him. I was tasked with others including Ywaya and others to track him and hand him over to Nyong’o. I coordinated the mission.

After, we were able to track him, Ywaya and John Chebii, another gallant warrior from North Rift found him at his Samalat home in Marakwet.

Once he was in Eldoret, I told Raila of the development and Ywaya and the team took him to Kisumu before they proceeded to Nairobi, where he signed and handed over the certificate to Nyong’o. Kalonzo only saw the story as breaking news on TV.

 My 2017 parliamentary ambition

In 2017, I had expressed strong interest for Karachuonyo parliamentary seat. I approached him and expressed my ambition. He asked me thuon ilal kune, asewinjo kaka itungo piny, Gori agoya, ibiro yudo gima idwaro,. Kata Dr Adhu ne Onyisa chon ni wuod omera ni Chieng moro adwaro mondo okaw kara (The brave, I have heard what you are doing on the ground. Continue the fight, you will get what you want. Even you uncle the late Dr Adhu Awiti had told me that he would want to see you inherit the seat).

For Raila Odinga I Knew, there was so much that ran deep and have remained buried in our hearts. The battle, the pain and the sacrifice.  The scars and the moments. The brand and the joy of the struggle.

For my fellow fighters, Fujo, Ywaya, Odima Abuya, Tom, George Oduor, James Keyi, Dave Arunga, Osiga, Ochieng Sino Jakathomo, John Chebii, Major Rtd Kipchumba and Kasenge, among others, the Kings lives forever. One day, we shall conquer. The spirit is still strong. In the king we were and united. Rest in peace Jakom. Dhi gi kwe okew gi Oneya. The Raila Odinga I knew. One day, I write about to tell, the story.”

By Hope Barbra

In what could be described as a symbolic final gesture to his boyhood team, Gor Mahia, the club’s patron Raila Odinga hosted the team for what was termed a landmark breakfast ahead of his travel to India for treatment.

During the breakfast, Raila made his last wish: “I want you to be champions again.” Gor Mahia have won the Premier League a record 21 times and the FKF President’s Cup a record 11 times.

Raila, who died on Wednesday morning in India, described the breakfast meeting as “the big visit,” which Gor Mahia later shared on their official X handle.

An incredible visit to our patron, Hon. Raila Odinga, and Mama Ida Odinga’s home in Karen. The club management had a good time.

In demonstration of his unwavering commitment and truly generous gesture, our patron presented the club with a monumental gift of Sh10 million to support administrative functions.

We are deeply grateful to our patron and his family,” the club posted.

Raila also wrote on his X handle:

“As the new football season kicks off, I had the pleasure of being briefed by Gor Mahia @OfficialGMFC football club’s executive team, led by chairman Ambrose Rachier, on the club’s campaign plans for the season.

Wishing K’Ogalo all the very best as they fly the green flag higher and strive to return as champions once again. Let’s go Gor Mahia.”

While Raila was in his sickbed, Gor Mahia did not disappoint their patron. The team participated in a four-team tournament marking ODM’s 20th anniversary, which featured Gor Mahia, Bandari, AFC Leopards, and Shabana FC — and Gor Mahia emerged the winners.

Gor Mahia Chairman Ambrose Rachier expressed shock over the death of their long-serving patron.

By HE Prof.Anyang’ Nyong’o,EGH
Governor, County Governor of Kisumu

A powerful man has just rested.
A lion has returned to the mountain.
The storm has stilled, but the thunder of his footsteps will echo for generations.rai

The sun rose heavy with sorrow, the skies paused in reverence, and the land weeps — not just Kenya, but Africa and the world at large. Because a man like Raila Amollo Odinga does not die. No, he transcends. He takes a break. A halftime. A warrior’s rest after decades on the frontline of justice, democracy, and the dreams of a nation.

Raila was never just a politician. He was a movement. A rhythm in our national heartbeat. A voice that thundered in parliament, whispered in prison cells, and sang from the streets of Kibra to the hearts of millions. His was a life poured out — fully, completely — in service of a better Kenya.

He was imprisoned, vilified, betrayed, but never broken. Never silent. Never afraid.

He stood tall, not because he sought power, but because he was power — the kind that flows from conviction, sacrifice, and the unshakable belief that Kenya could be more. He bore the weight of history and still had room to carry the hopes of the youth, the forgotten, the voiceless.

And even in the harshest political storms, Raila remained the eye — calm, focused, unyielding.

To say he is gone feels dishonest. Because a man like Raila cannot be erased by time or death. His fingerprints are on our Constitution. His footsteps are in our polling stations. His fire lives on in every Kenyan who dares to speak truth to power. He is the whisper in the wind that says, “Freedom is near. Keep walking.”

Yes — Raila Odinga has just taken a halftime break. And when the history books are written with honesty, his name will not just appear in the margins — it will command the headlines.

Fare thee well, Baba.
The struggle lives on, because you lived.
Your rest is earned, your legacy eternal.
Even the soil of this nation is proud to cradle you.

#RIEPJAKOM

By Hope Barbra

Mama Ida Odinga and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi have left the country for India to coordinate the arrangements and repatriation of the body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.

President William Ruto announced that the delegation would depart immediately, confirming that the Kenyan government had held discussions with the Indian authorities regarding the repatriation process.

“Fellow citizens, it is with deep sorrow that I inform the nation of the passing on of the Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga, our former Prime Minister and Kenya’s foremost statesman. One of Africa’s greatest sons, Raila Odinga was a giant of democracy — a fearless freedom fighter and a tireless warrior for good governance,” said President Ruto in his address to the nation.

“Raila’s name will forever be etched in the story of our republic as a tale of struggle, sacrifice, courage, the rule of law, and an unwavering pursuit of justice. For decades, he dedicated his life to the fight for equity and freedom, enduring detention and persecution so that our nation could know and enjoy democracy,” he added.

The President described Raila as “a once-in-a-generation leader, a man whose ideals transcended politics and whose legacy will shape Kenya’s destiny for generations to come.”

“He was a towering figure in our democratic landscape — a patriot of uncommon courage, a Pan-Africanist, and a unifier who sought peace and national unity above power and self-interest. In his passing, Kenya has lost a servant of the people who gave his all to the promise of a better nation,” Ruto said.

President Ruto announced a seven-day national mourning period during which the national flag will fly at half-mast across the country. He also declared that Raila Odinga will be accorded a state funeral with full honors.

“In honor of Raila’s extraordinary contribution to our nation, I have postponed all my public engagements during the mourning period,” he stated.

A national funeral committee has been formed to oversee the arrangements, co-chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga.

At Kenya’s request, the Government of India has offered to facilitate the repatriation of Raila Odinga’s remains. The Kenyan delegation, comprising government officials and family members, departed immediately for India to oversee the process.

By Erick Otieno

Migori, Kenya — Residents of Migori County woke up to a somber morning of grief and disbelief following reports of the demise of Kenya’s immediate former Prime Minister, Raila Amolo Odinga, who passed away while undergoing treatment at a hospital in India.

News of the ODM leader’s death spread rapidly across the region, drawing thousands of mourners from all walks of life into the streets of Migori town. Traders, youth groups, Bunge la Wananchi members, and families from informal settlements within the central business district converged to mourn the man they described as a selfless statesman and true patriot.

One of the mourners, Joseph Momanyi, could not hide his sorrow as he spoke about Odinga’s legacy.

“Raila was not just a Luo leader — he was a national figure who devoted his entire life to the liberation, unity, and development of this country,” said Momanyi. “We must honor his memory by remaining peaceful and united as one people.”

At Migori Posta Grounds, Macalder Kanyarwanda MCA Hon. Felix Okwanyo led a massive crowd of mourners in a solemn tribute to the fallen opposition icon. He praised Odinga’s decades of sacrifice in fighting for democracy and good governance in Kenya.

“The freedom and democracy we all enjoy today came through Raila Odinga’s struggles,” Okwanyo said. “He endured detention, humiliation, and persecution so that Kenya could be free. His courage and resilience shaped the political history of our nation.”

The vocal ward representative further appealed for calm and patience among Kenyans as the nation awaits official communication from both the ODM leadership and President William Ruto regarding funeral arrangements and national mourning plans.

“This is not the time for division or blame. Let us stay united and allow the leadership to guide the country through this difficult moment,” he urged.

Several residents who spoke to the press also called on President Ruto to continue fostering the spirit of unity and development that he had begun championing alongside the late Odinga.

“Raila and Ruto had started building bridges of unity and development. We urge the President to carry on with those plans in Raila’s honor,” said one mourner.

As the nation comes to terms with the loss of one of its most influential leaders, Migori — a region long regarded as the heartland of Odinga’s political base — remains deeply engulfed in mourning, reflecting a grief that resonates across Kenya and beyond.

By Hope Barbra

Kenya is at a standstill. The enigma is dead. The world is mourning. Africa’s lion has roared his last and left the park in tears.

In the land of the Mombasa–Port Bell Railway constructors, India lays the body of the president Kenya never had — the people’s president. The doyen of opposition politics. The prince of peace. The heartbeat of Kenya’s unity. The glue that bound the country at the brink of collapse.

Last night, Raila Amolo Odinga, Agwambo, bowed out to join other Kenyan gallants after decades of struggle, sacrifice, detention, and service to the country.

Raila was the most consequential politician in the country’s history and dominated Kenya’s political landscape for decades.

For Raila, Kenya always came first, and on several occasions, he forgone his political ambitions to stop bloodshed and prevent the country from descending into chaos.

During the controversial 2007 presidential election, Raila defied the odds to settle for a grand coalition government with President Mwai Kibaki.

In the recent Gen Z demonstrations, Raila once again stood with President William Ruto to quell protests that nearly degenerated into anarchy. Later, Ruto and Raila formed a broad-based government that restored peace and order in the country.

Raila was born on 7 January 1945 at the Anglican Church Missionary Society Hospital in Maseno, Kisumu District, Nyanza Province, to the late Mary Juma Odinga and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

He attended Kisumu Union Primary, Maranda Primary in Bondo, and Maranda High School, where he studied until 1962, before being transferred by his father to Germany. He spent the next two years at the Herder Institution, which trained foreign students in the German language and was part of the philological faculty at the University of Leipzig in East Germany.

He received a scholarship in 1965 to study at the Technische Hochschule (Technical College) of Magdeburg in the GDR. Odinga returned to Kenya in 1970, and in 1971 he founded the Standard Processing Equipment Construction & Erection Ltd (later renamed East African Spectre), the only company manufacturing liquid petroleum gas cylinders in Kenya.

Odinga was arrested and charged with treason after being accused of participating in the 1982 coup attempt. He was released six years later, in February 1988, but detained again in August of the same year before being released in June 1989.

In the first multi-party elections in 1992, Raila was elected MP for Lang’ata, a position he held from 1992 to 2013.

In 1997, he contested the presidency on an NDP ticket and came third. In 2002, he supported Mwai Kibaki for president. Raila went on to contest the presidency of Kenya five times — in 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022.

By Anderson Ojwang

Homa Bay County has stirred the public with high-voltage international investment and trade conferences that have turned out to be pipe dreams.

While Murang’a County, which held its investment conference in June this year, has this month of October invited investors to bid and submit proposals.

Governor Irungu Kang’ata recently wrote on his X handle, “Invest in Murang’a now. The county formally invites applications for investment opportunities, particularly manufacturers.”
In the post captioned Investment Opportunities in Murang’a County, he called for public requests for proposals pursuant to Section 12(1)(E) of the Land Act, Cap 28.

The Murang’a County Government is committed to industrializing the county, creating jobs, and enhancing opportunities for value addition to its diverse agricultural products. The ultimate goal is to increase farmers’ income, improve the overall standard of living for residents, and boost the county’s own-source revenue.
The additional revenue will support ongoing public projects such as paving more roads and expanding healthcare systems, among others.

In pursuit of this vision, the county hosted its inaugural investment conference on 13th–14th June 2025. During the conference, a market sounding of available opportunities was undertaken, and the county pledged to provide detailed investment opportunities at a later date.

The county government now formally invites interested investors to explore and engage in these opportunities.
The target investment areas are Murang’a Industrial Park, Gikono Landfill, SME Parks, and the Export Processing Zone.

In 2023, then-Governor Cyprian Awiti entered into a mega partnership with two international organizations that would see the county benefit from a Sh 595 billion project.
The money was in the form of a grant, and the partnership aimed at turning the agriculturally rich and fish-endowed county into an agri-city with a vibrant mix of business, infrastructure, and standard urban amenities.
The project was a joint venture between Good Earth Power, Urban Green Energy, and the County Government, set to run for 30 years.
According to the master plan, the project was to witness the construction of 100,000 houses, modern roads, and the generation of clean power.
Other ventures included water purification, sewage management, and the construction of modern recreational facilities.

Awiti then said, “This is a God-sent investment that will turn around the economy of Homa Bay County. I am telling doubting Thomases to open their eyes wide and see what we are going to come up with.”
But the doubting Thomases proved Awiti wrong, and his pipe dream was a wild goose chase that left Homa Bay at the bottom of the county rankings.
For Homa Bay County under Awiti, it lost the golden opportunity to exploit its endless potential, and he left the worst legacy.

Last year, Governor Gladys Wanga hosted the second International Investment and Trade Conference, which was attended by President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, among others.
It was billed as a milestone in exploiting the endless potential of Homa Bay County, and afterward, it gained a positive ranking.

During the recent International Investment Conference, the Homa Bay County Government and investors signed eight Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs).
Wanga commended all stakeholders, including the executive, partners, and sponsors, for their contributions to the success of the investment conference.
The county government signed MOUs with various organizations, including Afropal International Limited, Ento Tech Africa Limited, Yazmark International, Rift Valley Products Limited, Manda University Trust, Fairdeal Real Estate, Kenya Shipyard Limited, and Redington.

Wanga said that in the agricultural sector, Afropal International Limited, in collaboration with the national government, will provide a framework for edible oil palm production around the Lake Victoria region, including Homa Bay County.
Yazmark International and the Homa Bay County Government are set to establish a 50-bed Mother and Child Specialist Hospital to tackle regional healthcare challenges.

“With regards to education, the county is expected to establish Manda University Kenya to specialize in health sciences and agricultural courses through a partnership with Manda University Trust,” she added.
The Governor said Fairdeal Real Estate is set to invest in affordable housing and student hostel construction projects to support the growing population in the county.
On the other hand, Redington, through the partnership, was also expected to generate solar power that would benefit beaches, schools, and hospitals not connected to the national grid in Homa Bay, which will promote employment and technology transfer.

But Riwa Industrial Park, which was expected to host investors, is incomplete and an eyesore. Riwa, which is a joint project between the national government and county government, currently stands at 37 percent completion.
This is despite the national government having contributed its 50 percent share of Sh 250 million, while the county government had allocated and disbursed Sh 250 million.

The sad reality is that at the Riwa Industrial Park there is no roofing, and the fencing of the facility is incomplete.
Sources revealed that the State Department had blacklisted Homa Bay County for failing to complete the construction even after receiving the national government allocation.
The national government had even installed a transformer at the facility to provide electricity to investors, but it now looks abandoned.

The county government was directed to complete the construction by 25th August 2025, but no works are ongoing at the facility, while Migori County, which received funds recently, has achieved 80 percent completion at their industrial park.
Director of Communication Mr. Steve Muga declined to pick our calls and did not respond to our text messages.