‘Choose Forgiveness and Peace,’ Ida Odinga Urges Kenyans as She Pays Tribute to Her Late Husband Raila Odinga

A heartbroken Ida Odinga on Friday urged Kenyans to honour the memory of her late husband, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, by embracing forgiveness, rejecting greed, and upholding peace — values she said defined his life and leadership.

Speaking at Nyayo Stadium during the national memorial service, Mama Ida said her husband had always believed that peace was the most valuable gift Kenyans could give one another.

“Don’t carry grudges from one generation to another,” she pleaded. “We are all Kenyans, and we must learn to forgive easily and build a together Kenya.”

She added that Raila consistently preached unity and reconciliation, often reminding her that peace was the foundation of progress. “One thing that he kept on repeating to me is that we must urge Kenyans to live in peace,” she said.

Ida described Raila as a man of integrity who detested corruption and selfishness. “Raila hated dishonesty. He hated greed — the greed that has eaten into the fabric of our society, that leads people to steal from public coffers through corruption. He would not have liked to see it,” she said.

She also expressed her gratitude to Kenyans for standing with the Odinga family during their time of grief. “I thank all of you who have come, and those watching us from home, for helping us mourn Raila,” she said. “May his soul lie in eternal peace. I wish you well, and may God bless you.”

Her daughters, Winnie and Rosemary Odinga, together with their brother Raila Odinga Jr., also gave moving tributes to their late father, painting a picture of a loving, humorous, and selfless man who inspired both family and nation.

Rosemary spoke about the deep pain her family continues to feel, recalling the confusion of the morning she learned about her father’s death. “I remember the day I received the message. I was seated at the table, just finished my breakfast, and then my brother Raila Odinga Jr. called me and asked where I was,” she said. “Then he asked me to sit down. I didn’t know what he meant — do I sit on the floor, on the table, or is the chair enough? I was so confused. Then Junior told me that our father was no longer with us.”

She described Raila’s death as a moment that shattered their world. “Until today, it is still very difficult. It is very difficult for us to feel like a family,” she said softly. “And today, we are here to pray for Kenya and the rest of the world. I want to say thank you very much.”

Winnie Odinga, the youngest daughter, brought mourners to tears as she described her father as both her “Dad and superhero.” “I don’t know who I’ll miss more — my Dad or my superhero,” she began, her voice trembling. “I am the luckiest girl in the world because you were my Dad. Only three other human beings were as lucky as me — Fidel, Rozzy, and Junior.”

She fondly remembered Raila as a man of wisdom, humour, and boundless love, both for his country and his family. “To the world, you were known by many names. You even gave almost everyone you met a nickname too. But to me, you were simply Dad — a man whose presence froze rooms around the world,” she said.

Winnie recalled how their home served as “the vitendawili testing ground,” where Raila would challenge his children with riddles and trivia. She also laughed as she spoke about his final wish to be buried within 72 hours. “When I learnt that you willed to be buried in 72 hours, I laughed. Good old Dad! Testing and planning for us beyond the grave,” she said.

Turning to mourners, Winnie encouraged Kenyans to uphold Raila’s values of justice, patriotism, and service. “I learned from him that love for country is not just in words, but in sacrifice. That justice must be pursued even when the path is lonely. That true leadership is service, not power,” she said.

She praised her father’s humility and grace, recalling how he faced both triumph and defeat with dignity. “He taught us that defeat is not failure, that conviction is not arrogance, and that peace is always greater than pride,” she said.

Winnie also spoke fondly of her father’s love for his grandchildren. “Ask his grandchildren in the front,” she said, smiling through tears. “I started getting sidelined for holidays. I’d just wake up and see Baba in Kasarani with Saphie, or Malindi with Senayi, or insisting the captain must land the plane with Laiyon at the cockpit.”

As she concluded, Winnie said her father’s legacy would live on in the hearts of all who loved him. “The biggest part of me died on October 15, 2025, but the spirit of the lion roars on forever,” she said. “The King is dead — but long live the crown.”