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 honour for the departed leader. “I have attended many international funerals — including that of Nelson Mandela and a President here in Tanzania — and they were solemn occasions. It is only through a still voice that we can truly hear and understand one another,” she noted.
On Friday, during the national memorial service at Nyayo Stadium, Mama Ida called on Kenyans to honour Raila’s legacy by embracing forgiveness, rejecting greed, and upholding peace — values she said defined his life and leadership.
“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 described Raila as a man of integrity who despised corruption and dishonesty. “Raila hated greed — the greed that has eaten into the fabric of our society and leads people to steal from public coffers through corruption. He would not have liked to see it,” she said.
Mama Ida also thanked Kenyans for standing with the Odinga family during their time of mourning. “I thank all of you who have come, and those watching from home, for helping us mourn Raila. May his soul rest in eternal peace. I wish you well, and may God bless you.”
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