Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s younger sister, Ruth Odinga, has expressed deep sorrow over what she termed as hypocrisy among some young Kenyans, saying her late brother died feeling unloved by the very generation now mourning him. Speaking in Bondo on Saturday, Ruth said Raila had sensed growing hostility from sections of the youth, especially on social media, and passed away believing that many Gen Zs wished him dead. “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?” Ruth said…
Author: David Wafula
The newly established Gang Suppression Force (GSF) in Haiti received a boost with 20 new Armored Personnel Carriers from the USA. United Nations Security Council Resolution 2793 (2025), adopted on 30 September 2025, UNSCR 2793 (2025) authorized the transition of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission into the newly established Gang Suppression Force (GSF) for an initial period of 12 months. The USA government has recently delivered 20 additional new Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), with five already deployed to the Artibonite area, demonstrating continued international confidence in and support for the GSF’s mission. These reinforcements highlight the GSF’s determination, under…
Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah has paid an emotional tribute to the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, describing him as a political father whose death has left him “an orphan.” Wajackoyah, who returned to the country from the United States, visited Raila’s Opoda Farm in Bondo, Siaya County, where he joined other leaders and mourners paying their final respects to the late statesman. Speaking to journalists after viewing the body, Wajackoyah reflected on Raila’s mentorship and influence in his political journey, saying the ODM leader had been a guiding light. “He has left me as an orphan,” Wajackoyah…
The body of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga will be airlifted from the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu, to his Opoda Farm home in Bondo, Siaya County, for burial. This marks a change from the earlier plan to transport the body by road. The burial program has seen several adjustments over the past few days as preparations intensify for the national farewell. On Saturday morning, Raila’s body was flown from the Kisumu International Airport to the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium for public viewing. The move surprised many of his supporters who had gathered at the airport expecting…
Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi have paid heartfelt tributes to the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga with symbolic gifts to his family in Bondo, Siaya County. Governor Natembeya donated five bulls and 15 bags of maize to the Odinga family at Kang’o ka Jaramogi, describing it as a “humble token” of gratitude for Raila’s immense contribution to Kenya’s democracy and unity. “This is a humble token of my deep appreciation for Raila Odinga’s monumental contribution to our nation, his lifelong pursuit of justice, democracy, and unity among all communities,” said Natembeya. He lauded…
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s wife, Mama Ida Odinga, has arrived at the family’s Opoda Farm in Bondo, Siaya County, for the first time since her husband’s death. Raila, who died on October 15 at the age of 80, passed away in India while receiving treatment. His body was repatriated to Kenya and received by President William Ruto at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Thursday. Initially, Raila’s remains were to be taken to Lee Funeral Home before being moved to Parliament for public viewing. However, the plans were changed following the large crowds that gathered both at the airport…
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has paid tribute to the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga with a symbolic gift of bulls delivered to his ancestral home in Opoda, Bondo, Siaya County. The gesture, deeply rooted in cultural tradition, signified solidarity and respect from Mudavadi and the wider Mulembe community as the nation continues to mourn Raila’s passing. On Saturday, a delegation of elders from the Western region arrived in Bondo to present the animals, describing them as a token of unity and goodwill toward the Odinga family. Clad in traditional regalia, the elders conveyed Mudavadi’s condolences and praised…
Public viewing of the body of former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga has officially begun at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu. The exercise started after a brief delay caused by a minor disruption at the venue, which was swiftly contained by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo, and Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli. Addressing mourners, Otiende Amollo urged the crowd to remain calm and honour the wishes of Mama Ida Odinga, who had appealed for peaceful and dignified mourning. “Let us respect Mama Ida. If we are not organised, we might…
The body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu, for public viewing, marking a solemn moment in Kenya’s national mourning. The body was airlifted from Kisumu International Airport to the stadium, a move that caught many of his supporters by surprise. Thousands had camped at the airport expecting the convoy to travel by road. Raila’s remains arrived in Kisumu early Saturday morning aboard a military helicopter, which touched down at 7:20 a.m. under tight security. Security agencies, including the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Police Service, have been…
The body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has been airlifted from the Kisumu International Airport to the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo for public viewing. This development came as a surprise to many of his supporters who had camped at the airport expecting the convoy to travel by road. Raila’s body arrived in Kisumu on Saturday morning aboard a military helicopter, which touched down at 7:20 a.m. under tight security. Security agencies, including the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Police Service, have been deployed to maintain order and ensure safety during the public viewing. Authorities have…
The body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has arrived in Kisumu aboard a military helicopter, marking a solemn and historic moment for the lakeside city and the nation. The aircraft touched down at 7:20 a.m. under tight security, with military personnel overseeing the transfer of the casket to Mamboleo Stadium — the designated venue for public viewing. A short interfaith prayer service will precede the viewing, allowing mourners to pay their final respects in a peaceful and orderly manner. Religious leaders from different denominations will lead prayers before the public is allowed to view the body throughout the day.…
The body of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will not be taken to his Karen residence for an overnight stay as earlier planned. In a statement released Friday evening, ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale said the body will instead be returned to Lee Funeral Home for preservation in preparation for airlifting to Kisumu on the morning of Saturday, October 18, 2025. “The National Funeral Committee wishes to announce to the public that due to unavoidable circumstances, the body of H.E. the late Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga will not be taken to his Karen residence for overnight stay…
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has alleged that there are plans to attack him ahead of the burial of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. In a statement shared on his social media pages, Babu said he is aware of those behind the alleged plot and urged for peace during the funeral period. “There are plans to attack me on or before the day of Baba’s burial. I am aware of the culprits behind the scheme. It is my prayer that we give Baba the befitting send-off that he deserves, devoid of unwarranted violence,” Babu wrote. The outspoken legislator,…
Mama Ida Odinga, the widow of the late opposition leader Raila Odinga, moved mourners on Friday as she opened up about her family’s personal life, sharing the special meanings behind the names of her four children. Speaking at Nyayo Stadium during the state funeral, Ida reflected with emotion and nostalgia on the moments that shaped her family’s history, revealing how each name represented love, memory, and the ideals that defined her husband’s legacy. Ida, who was married to Raila for 52 years, began by recalling the story of their firstborn son, Fidel Castro Odhiambo Odinga. She admitted that she was…
The crowd at Nyayo Stadium erupted in laughter and later fell silent as former President Uhuru Kenyatta delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during his state funeral on Friday. Uhuru recalled the many intimate and reflective moments he shared with Raila, painting a picture of friendship that went beyond politics. “Sometimes after work, we would sit together, talking and laughing,” Uhuru said, smiling as he addressed mourners. “I once asked him — those old men who died before us, Jaramogi and Jomo — when they sit, what do they discuss? I said they must…