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.
