By Anderson Ojwang
Raila Amolo Odinga will today make a triumphant return to Bondo as hero, statesman, enigma and Baba.
Against previous expectations by his political opponents, who for eons wanted to return and retire him to Bondo as a villain and a bitter loser, Raila on his deathbed has had the last laugh.
From every corner of the world, Raila has received glowing tributes and back at home tears have been flowing freely and the love has been outpouring. The enigma, the king, is dead but long live the crown.
On 26 September 2023, Raila said, “Some people have been saying that they will take me back to Bondo. I want to tell them, I know the way to Bondo better than them. That is my home and I know it better than anybody else.”
After the election of the AU Chairman, Raila said, “I wanted to go to AU, but now I am back home. Do you want me to move back to Bondo and live there? I want what is good for all Kenyans.”
Today, Raila returns to Bondo, his birthplace, as a history writer, liberator, hero, statesman, peacemaker and above all, an enigma and Baba.
The mystic Raila’s return leaves his opponents embarrassed and unsettled by the kind of respect and love he continues to draw locally and globally, even in death.
As a hero and a king, Raila is the first civilian to have been driven in a military vehicle that previously carried the late President Mwai Kibaki and the late General Francis Omondi Ogolla, who was the Chief of Defence Forces.
Raila became the third person, and the only civilian, to have enjoyed the status of a military procession, and the pallbearers were Colonels — a rank below the Major who carries the body of Presidents.
In the procession were military vehicles — an honour for a statesman and Baba.
President William Ruto gave Raila a state burial, declared seven days of mourning, ordered the flying of the national flag at half-mast and declared Friday a public holiday.
From every corner of the country and at Nyayo Stadium, President Ruto led Kenyans in singing Raila’s favourite song by Harry Belafonte, “Jamaica Farewell.” In unison, they stood up and sang together with the President in honour of one of Kenya’s greatest sons, Raila Amolo Odinga.
Down the way
Where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily
On the mountaintop
I took a trip
On a sailing ship
And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop
Chorus
But I’m sad to say
I’m on my way
Won’t be back
For many a day
My heart is down
My head is turning around
I had to leave
A little girl in Kingston town
Winnie Odinga, his youngest daughter, capped it by terming her father a superhero, whom people gave several names and sang his favourite song.
“When I learnt that you were to be buried in 72 hours, I laughed. Good old Dad. Testing and planning for all of us, even beyond the grave. I can see you now laughing in your usual manner. I can see you laughing at all of us, knowing that your wish will be done,” she said.
Winnie said, “Raila died strong, with dignity and pride, and we must all be proud of that. We must walk with our heads high and walk strong and proud that he left as a gentleman.”
Similarly, President Ruto, after singing the song, said Raila was exceptional and that there was and can only be one Raila Amolo Odinga.
“Every once in our generation there comes a leader whose impact transcends their moment, whose courage inspires change, and whose vision shapes destinies.
My brother Raila Amolo Odinga was one such leader across space and time. There are few exceptional persons who, when summoned by the call of history, rise to meet the challenges and opportunities of their time with indomitable vigour.
With absolute conviction and unwavering valour, the Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga, Wuod Mary, Wuod Nyar Alego Agwanbo, Tinga, Jakom, Enigma, Wuod Piny, Baba — the man in whose honour we gather here today — belonged to that rare breed of human beings.
Raila, as we bid you farewell with deepest gratitude as a nation and as a people, we grieve your loss and celebrate 80 years of your presence. We salute you for the great statesman and patriot you were,” he said.
Ruto said Raila’s demise was an immense loss to the country and that Kenyans stood with the Odinga family.
“We thank you for sharing Raila so generously with Kenyans as a family and as a nation.
Amolo may no longer walk with us, but his spirit lives within every Kenyan and African. Such was the depth of his influence and impact that even in his absence, he endures and lives.
We gather here today not just to mourn but to celebrate his purpose, ideals and visions.
He walked among us as a man but also as a movement — a movement for change, justice, inclusivity, and a greater and better Kenya,” he said.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta said Raila was his brother and that he was known by several names that defined him.
“We, as Kenyans from all corners of the country, knew and respected him as Baba. We called him Baba because he loved his country, Kenya, more than anything else.
Raila was Baba to all and was never a tribalist; he loved all Kenyans. This was testified by the kind of friends who visited him at his home.
Today, Kenya has lost a leader. When the history of Kenya’s democracy is written, Raila’s name comes first. He leads on all fronts in Kenya’s history. Raila has gone in body, but his spirit lives in us,” he said.
