Mama Ida Odinga has spoken emotionally about the pain of laying her husband, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, to rest — admitting she never imagined she would be the one to bury him.
Speaking during Raila’s final funeral service at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, on Sunday, Ida said she had always believed the reverse would happen.
“I never imagined that this would fall on me — to lead the family and the world in burying Raila. I hoped it would be the other way round,” she said.
Despite the pain, Mama Ida told mourners she had accepted God’s will.
“With pain, without lamentation, I accept the will of God,” she said.
Ida thanked President William Ruto and the government for according Raila a dignified state funeral, saying it was the first time the Nyanza region had witnessed such a grand event.
“Mr President, my family is grateful to you for being a man of your word and a man who stands with friends after committing to do so,” she said.
She also thanked former President Uhuru Kenyatta for his friendship and constant support to the family.
Reflecting on her youth, Mama Ida shared how politics was the last thing on her mind when she married Raila. She and her university friends had vowed to marry calm professionals like engineers and doctors — and she believed she had done just that.
“Out of my group, I was the first to marry. I married an engineer, a man of calm demeanour and reflective character. They all congratulated me because of that. Little did I know I was marrying a political engineer who would proceed to make engineering of Kenya his lifelong project,” she said, drawing laughter and applause from mourners.
After 54 years of marriage, Ida said she had learned to embrace her husband’s calling and, given another chance, would still choose him — even knowing he was destined for a turbulent political life.
She described Raila as a loving husband and father who always found time for family despite the pressures of national duty.
“I think the next person after loving me, the other person that he loves — leave alone his children — is Dr Oburu,” she said, referring to Raila’s elder brother and confidant, Dr Oburu Oginga.
Mama Ida admitted that their marriage faced many challenges, especially due to Raila’s political engagements, but said they always resolved their differences through dialogue and forgiveness.
“Juggling family and public life exerted extreme pressure and demands on us from time to time. I know most of the time Raila was more in political life than in family life, but every time he came home, he gave us what we deserved,” she said.
Raila Odinga passed away on October 15, 2025, while undergoing treatment in India.
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