Ruth Odinga, the younger sister of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has urged the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to honour her brother’s legacy by remaining united and strong.
Speaking during the national funeral service at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, Ruth said ODM has always stood for peace, unity, and justice — values Raila lived and died for.
“ODM must remain one. That’s what he stood for — unity, peace, and justice for all,” she said.
Delivering her tribute with a trembling voice, Ruth described her brother as a selfless leader who gave everything for his country. “My heart is heavy, my heart is in pain,” she said, recalling the many sacrifices Raila made in his long fight for democracy and justice, often at the cost of his health and family.
“You have suffered for this country, and many could not see it. Go rest now, my brother. You have done your part,” she added.
Ruth noted that Raila’s lifelong dedication to Kenya came with a deep personal toll. “Our family has suffered because he sacrificed himself for Kenya. He died still crying for the country,” she said emotionally.
She described Raila as a resilient and courageous man, one who stood firm through adversity, but said it was heartbreaking to see him lifeless after decades of struggle. “Raila has suffered for the Kenyan people. It’s not easy to see someone as strong as him lying there,” she said tearfully.
On Saturday, Ruth expressed sorrow over what she described as hypocrisy among some young Kenyans, saying her late brother died feeling unloved by the very generation now mourning him.
“The Gen Zs are the same people talking about the outpouring love when he is dead. How about when he was not dead and you wanted him to die?” she said in an emotional address in Bondo.
Ruth added that while the country is now united in grief and admiration, the massive love being shown came too late for Raila to witness. “He died only knowing the Gen Zs prefer him dead. It is only us who are seeing the outpouring love, but how about Baba? He would have loved you people to have more love. When the machine was switched off, I knew Kenya has lost,” she said.
Ruth, who was among the family members who accompanied Raila to India for treatment, described his death as a great loss not only to their family but to the entire nation.
Raila Odinga passed away on October 15, 2025, at the age of 80. He served as Kenya’s Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 and is remembered as one of the country’s most influential champions for democracy and reform.
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