By Anderson Ojwang
President William Ruto has described former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as exceptional. Ruto said 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.
Ruto said he had a long political journey with Raila and that he stood by Raila in the 2007 election as one of the Pentagon members during his presidential bid.
“At Raila’s defining moment and the country’s history, I neither knew that one day we could find ourselves on opposite sides nor could I have imagined that years later he would stand by me — this time to steady the nation and help to anchor my leadership, culminating in the birth of a broad-based government.
Baba, I owe you. I am truly and internally grateful that our paths crossed and we shared this journey together.
We have been both collaborators and competitors, friends and rivals. But always we have been patriotic Kenyans united by dreams greater than ourselves — a united Kenya,” he said.
Ruto said he had reflected on Raila’s legacy and that he befits the title Enigma.
“History will judge Raila fairly and kindly because whenever the nation needed him to rise above self, he always did so unreservedly. Whenever Kenyans needed reason, he became the voice of reason and courage.
Whenever the country needed a hand of reconciliation, he offered it without hesitation.
Perhaps one of the greatest lessons he taught us was this — in the noble task of statecraft and nation-building, there is room for all of us: competitors and collaborators, rivals and allies bound together by one purpose — the greater good of our Republic.
Those who worked closely with Raila know that he was irrevocably stubborn in his vision for a prosperous, just and united Kenya.
In Tinga, Kenya found a reformer and a reconciler. He proved that progress demands patience.
Raila gave more to this country than most will ever give. He endured years of imprisonment, exile and political struggle not for the privilege of power but for the principle of service.
He turned pain and suffering into purpose. He shared in their pain and rejoiced in their victory,” he said.
Ruto wondered where another Raila would emerge and be born to carry the country further. He likened the death of Raila to the collapse of Ngou (Baobab Tree) that served many, leaving the public desperate for another one of its kind.
“Raila has finished his race and served his people and humanity. The nation he sacrificed for shall cherish his memory, and the people he fought for shall carry his dreams forward.
A towering patriot, a relentless reformer, and a selfless servant of the people departs among us. When a mighty bongu tree falls among us, we are left in awe.
Raila was a man of great courage, made sacrifices, and had a big heart to forgive even when he was wronged.”
