Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has called for the renaming of Talanta Stadium in honour of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Speaking during Raila’s national funeral service at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, on Sunday, Wanga said the gesture would celebrate Raila’s love for football and his enduring legacy. “Our President, we only ask one more thing from you… that magnificent 60,000-seater stadium… we ask that it be renamed Raila Odinga Talanta Stadium,” Wanga said. She further urged President William Ruto to organise a friendly match between English Premier League…
Author: David Wafula
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has reaffirmed his loyalty to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), pledging to protect the party’s legacy following the death of its leader, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Speaking during Raila’s national funeral service at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, on Sunday, Sifuna dismissed speculation about his political allegiance and vowed to keep ODM strong and united. “Because ODM is one of your biggest legacies, I, as Sifuna, will do everything in my power to keep this party together, even in the face of provocation — and you…
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,…
Raila Odinga’s elder brother, Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga, has revealed that President William Ruto was fully aware of the late former Prime Minister’s illness and personally facilitated his travel to India for treatment. Speaking on Sunday during the national funeral service at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, Oburu said the President’s support to the Odinga family began long before Raila’s death. He disclosed that when Raila’s health started to deteriorate, the family held a private meeting with President Ruto to discuss the best medical intervention for the veteran politician. It was…
East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member Winnie Odinga has hinted at returning to local politics following the death of her father, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Speaking during Raila’s national funeral service at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, on Sunday, Winnie expressed her gratitude to President William Ruto for standing with their family during the difficult period. In a message that drew loud applause from mourners, Winnie appeared to suggest her readiness to rejoin the national political scene and work with the government. “Your Excellency, our people appreciate your honouring my father.…
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…
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s children have paid an emotional tribute to their late father, describing him as a visionary Pan-Africanist and a patriot whose life was dedicated to democracy and justice. Speaking during the national funeral service at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, Raila Odinga Junior said the family is no longer mourning but celebrating the life of a great leader who touched millions. “We are no longer mourning Jakom, but we are celebrating his life today as we give him a final send-off,” Raila Jr. said. He expressed gratitude to…
Raila Odinga’s sister, Emily Oginga, has revealed that the late former Prime Minister was quietly working on a major political project in the days leading up to his death. Speaking on Sunday during the national funeral service at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, Emily said Raila’s final project reflected his lifelong dedication to African unity and transformation. She disclosed that the veteran opposition leader had begun writing his third biography, which he intended to dedicate entirely to the subject of Pan-Africanism and Africa’s future. “Raila’s last political project, which he did…
The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Bondo Diocese Bishop, Rev. David Hillington Kodia, has revealed that the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was once denied baptism by a white priest because he did not have a Christian name. Speaking on Sunday, October 19, during Raila’s funeral service at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, Bishop Kodia said the incident occurred when Raila’s father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, insisted that his son be named Raila Amolo Odinga instead of adopting a Western or biblical name such as John or David. “I want to…
President William Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo have arrived at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, for the national funeral service of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga. Other top leaders in attendance include National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Members of Parliament, and various political leaders from across the country. Their arrival came shortly after Raila’s body was brought to the venue aboard a military vehicle from his Opoda Farm home in Bondo. The convoy was escorted by police outriders and military…
The body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga has arrived at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) for the national funeral service. The military convoy transporting the late leader’s body from his Opoda Farm home in Bondo arrived at the university grounds to the sound of hymns and chants from thousands of mourners who had gathered since early morning. The casket, draped in the national flag, was received by military officers and clergy. Security around the venue has been tightened, with the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and National Police Service maintaining order. The atmosphere remains…
The body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga is currently being transported from his Opoda Farm home to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), where the main funeral service will be held. The military-led convoy, carrying the casket draped in the national flag, left Opoda Farm moments ago amid emotional scenes. Thousands of mourners have lined up along the route, waving and singing as the hearse carrying Raila’s body passes by. Many are waving Kenyan flags and portraits of the late leader, while others raise their fists in salute, chanting liberation songs that defined his…
Kenya Airways Captain Saviemaria Ondego has shared her emotional experience flying the body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga from Mumbai, India, to Nairobi, describing the flight as unlike any other in her career. In a video released by Kenya Airways, Captain Ondego said the journey carried a deep emotional weight. “There was heaviness in the responsibility to our country that made it not a normal flight,” she said. The Kenya Airways flight, KQ203, departed Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport at 6:23 a.m. Kenyan time with Raila’s remains, his family, and a delegation of 30 leaders on…
The body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga has arrived at his rural home in Opoda Farm, Bondo, Siaya County, ahead of his burial on Sunday. Earlier in the day, thousands of mourners in Kisumu had the opportunity to view Raila’s body at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo for several hours. His wife, Mama Ida Odinga, and daughter, Rosemary Odinga, had arrived earlier at the Bondo home to receive the body. The residence has seen a steady flow of leaders and dignitaries paying tribute, including DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa and Trans Nzoia Governor George…
Mama Ida Odinga, the wife of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has urged Kenyans to maintain peace and calm as the nation continues to mourn her husband. Speaking to the press at her Opoda Farm home in Bondo on Saturday, Mama Ida said this is a solemn moment that requires respect and order. “Now, I want to appeal to our people: we must mourn Raila in peace. This is a solemn occasion. It is not a time for confusion. Things work better when we do them calmly and respectfully,” she said. She added that dignified mourning reflects true…