By Anderson Ojwang

In a historic and symbolic moment, Raila Amolo Odinga delivered his last passionate and powerful message to Kenyans and the world.

When the Kenya Airways flight, KQ RAO 001 touched the ground, our motherland, Winnie Mandela Odinga, carried the most powerful, message to Kenyans, the world, mourners, ODM family, relatives, children, and his loving wife Mama Ida Odinga.

In Winnies hand, she held Raila’s revered white Panana Hat, the last surviving Raila legacy. The message was short, crisp and clear, “PEACE I LEAVE UNTO YOU.”

On the other side, lay the casket with a message “I have fought the good fight, I have finished race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me, the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing 2 Tomothy 4:7-8.”

As mourners jammed the airport and Mombasa Road to Kasarani International Stadium, Winnie calmly carried the powerful Panama Hat to her mother’s house, Karen and respectfully and obediently handed over the message.

At the Airport after disembarking from the plane, standing at the heart of the facility, Winnie named after freedom fighter Winnie Mandela, wife to the late South Africa President, the late Nelson Mandela, rose to the occasion. Her Father’s wish.

In her heart and hands, she carried the heaviest and most powerful message to the world, the last wish of his father, unknown to the world. Raila Iga gala. Raila the mystic.

The message of Peace, that Raila loved and cherished and was so passionate about. A PEACEFUL AND UNITED KENYA. 

The message of peace that made him to sacrifice for Kenya severally and never wanted Kenya to break despite presidential election results.

And the message was symbolically delivered at the historic Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, named after the founding father, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.

Indeed, Raila chose to unite Kenya at the heart of the facility which bore the name of Kenya’s founding father of the nation, Mzee Kenyatta, a facility that unites Kenya with the rest of the world.

A temporary calm descended at the facility when Winnie in a calm demeanor symbolically delivered Raila’s last wish message. Carrying the white Panama hat, surrounded by the shocked and grieving prime cabinet secretary Musalia Mudavadi, leader of the delegation, Health cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Kisumu Women Representative Ruth Adhiambo Odinga, the younger sister and a host of dignitaries and mourners.

As Raila’s convoy snaked its way to Kasarani International Airport with a sea of humanity in tow, Winnie led a small delegation to their family home, in Karen.

Winnie, the political heartbeat of Raila, the dare devil and his political confidant, at his sitting room delivered the Panama hat carrying the message Mama Ida, kneeling before her and calmy gave her the hat of legacy as President William Ruto stood alert, watched and witnessed the delivery.

This was not just a simple ceremony, but Raila’s way of sending coded powerful messages.

Interestingly, at the Indian Airport, the Panama Hat lay on top of the casket sending the message to the world, “Now I LEAVE, PEACE I LEAVE UNTO YOU.”

In one of his greatest speeches on peace and forgiveness during his Azimio La Umoja unveiling as the Presidential candidate Raila said “I bear the scars of liberation with pride and embrace the blood; sweat and tears they caused me.

By the way, the tears from the torture chambers are still running as it you can tell from the handkerchief that never leaves my hand.

For years, I was not allowed to speak with other inmates, infact for six straight years, I did not sleep on a bed. For months and ends, I was either held in communicado  or solitary continent or handcuffed and on transit to the next prison or detention camp.

A relative died including my beloved mother and my own brother and in never got the chance to say goodbye. I would not wish this to torment upon anyone even my own worst enemy.

Together, we my comrades who endured torture and survive those darks days of torture, we will never let Kenya degenerate.”

At the burial of Matriarch Mama Phoebe Asiyo in Karachuonyo Raila said he couldn’t afford to witness Kenya degenerate into a failed state during the Genzs protest and had to come out and save the country.

The last powerful speech on peace and unity, Raila delivered in Karachuonyo, the home of heroes and heroine. Dalagi Ojijo wuon Oteko,.

“We are here as Kenyans today, we know where we are coming from. We were in a very serious situation sometimes last year. Everybody knows where we were.

There was a possibility of Kenya degenerating into a failed state like Somalia, Sudan.  People who do not understand history, talk very easily. Ask and tell them, what happened in Libya, Egypt after the Arabs springs, why do we have a military regime today in Egypt after the Arabs springs?

People do not understand that is why they are making simple mistake, and it is easy for them to write articles in newspapers. I read them and I just laugh.

They tried to trivialize was a very serious situation, so what we have today, was something that we were forced into because of the circumstances that were existing at that time.

I want somebody to tell me their own solution and how this could have been solved? We sacrificed so that there could be peace in this country and that is the reason we are here today.

I do not regret what we did. We did it in the best interest of our country and Kenya must move forward.” 

We at The Western Insight, sent our condolence to the family and Kenyans. Long live the Enigma. 

To Raila:

“You must be iron like a lion in Zion.

Yeah, I am on the rock. and then I check a stock I had to run like a fugitive. To save the life I live, I’M Gona be iron like a lion in Zion,” your favorite Reggae beat.

By Anderson Ojwang

The respected and renown Ohangla legend Tonny Nyadundo aptly captured the mystic Raila Amolo Odinga in his song, Raila Igala gala.

The 2006 composition ahead of the 2007 general election, Nyadundo tried to wade into the mystery of Raila which was unknown to his father, the late Jaramogi Oginga, his wife Ida, relatives and to Kenyans at large. Iga gala.

In the rendition goes “ Wuod Nyar Alego igala gala, Raila igala gala. Tinga wuod nyalego igala galaAgwambo wuod Nyalego iyore yore ikonyo Kenya igala gala, Wuod Oginga Igala gala Piny Winj tee (Son daughter of Alego you are mystic, you have helped Kenya and the world listens to you).

Nyadundo said the rendition was mystic to him as he could only sing igala gala (mystic) and only talked about the unknown Raila’s character.

He said both in life and death, Raila has remained mystic to Kenyans. They have never understood him and will never understand him even after he exited.

“Raila died in India without telling Kenyans his mind despite bringing peace to the country. Making several sacrifices one after another.

You cannot predict Raila and that is why in the song, the message is simple, you will never understand Raila, He is mystic to all of us,” he said.

President William Ruto 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.”

Ruto said “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 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.”

Indeed, Kenyans have been left baffled, divided by certain actions and reactions by Raila, which have confounded his admirers and opponents alike.

In his death, just like when he was alive, he has remained a mystic. The Baba while you were away phenomenon when he returned to Kenya after USA visit following the disputed 2017 election and the repatriation of his body from India were defining and mystic moments.

in his return from USA, Raila and his supporters braved the hails of teargas, bullets and running from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to the famous Uhuru Park. And when, his supporters thought he would lead the march to State House, Raila decided to call of the march not to break Kenya, his beloved country.

And from the Airport to Kasarani International stadium, where the public were expected to view the body, the last teargas salute was offered to Raila as mourner scampered for safety.

Similarly, today, just like his return from USA, when his body arrived from India aboard Kenya Airways, Kenyans of all walks were at the airport to receive him,

They defied the security system to enter the VIP and the aeroplane that carried the body.

In town, the Parliament that was supposed to be for viewing center was swimming with a sea of humanity forcing the committee to change to the venue to Kasarani International stadium, which was even filled before the body arrived. 

The journey from the airport to Kasarani took almost five hours with mourners in tow.

The mystic Raila chose India for his last breath. The land of his best friend Narendra Modi and beside him were his trusted lieutenants his sister Ruth Adhiambo Odinga and daughter Winnie Odinga.

Modi wrote in his X handle “Deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend and former Prime minister Mr. Raila Odinga. He was a towering statesman, and a cherished friend of India I had the privilege.”

Political analyst Amayo Ochieng said Raila lived to his true legacy teargas in life so was it in death marked his exit.

“Raila did the unthinkable. The people who wronged him most, he forgave, worked and gave them a lifeline.

He never allowed people to understand and predict his next move and through that he remained mysterious.

Raila knew he had been betrayed severally but forgave and never held any grudge and this are some of the things that baffled many,” he said. 

Raila Igala Igala, Raila Ikonyo Kenya Igala gala.

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.