The Widow of the late Fidel Odinga Lwam Getachew Bekele, right, is consoled by relatives during the viewing at Lee Funeral home in Nairobi on Wednesday, January 7th, 2014. Photo/Jonah Onyango.
My name is Timnit Embaye, a 65-year-old woman from the Tigrigna tribe in Eritrea. I have been in Kenya for the last 35 years. I only have two kids - Lwam Getachew Bekele and Faheem Getachew Bekele.
When my daughter first told me that she was seeing a Kenyan, I wanted to know more about this man. But when she told me it was Fidel Odinga, I was in shock.
Of course, I already knew Raila Odinga because in my entire stay in Kenya, I have always been glued to the news. I am very familiar with Kenya and local politics.
I had reservations about my daughter getting married into a political family because I am a very private person. I do not like people following me. But she always told me, ‘Mum, love does not know boundaries.’
I looked at her and I could see that she was in love with him. He really wanted to meet me, so we made an appointment and met just the two of us. After listening to him, I could see that he not only loved my daughter, but also wanted to be with her.
‘I hope you will be a good husband to my Lwam,’ that’s what I told him as we parted ways.
As time went by, I found out that Fidel was generous, nice positive, respectful and kind. On the day he passed on, my house help said she had never met a person so respectful.
‘Fidel did not discriminate the rich or poor. He did not look at one as a maid, watchman or gardener. He respected us all,’ that’s what the young lady told me.
I will miss him and I cannot believe that he is dead. I cannot even imagine a life without him (breaks down sobbing).
Fidel was willing to do anything under the sun just to have my daughter.
At one point we said it would have been better if they were of the same religion. Fidel did not even ask what religion. He just said, ‘okay, let’s do it.’ That’s how we came to name him Makarios.
I was never distant from the two of them. Fidel always wanted me to be with them. I do not know much about the Luo culture, but all I know is that Fidel gave me all the freedom that at times I asked him whether it was right before making any move.
When Allay was born, I stayed with them for four months. Since then, I have been visiting almost daily. Whenever I do not see Fidel’s family or when they are out of town, he sends me photos and even videos of my young grandson.
On many occasions, I travelled with them during holidays and just recently, we were in Naivasha together.
I will miss everything about Fidel. There is nothing that I did not like about him. I know his mother Ida Odinga and having lost my son 17 years ago, I can imagine what she is going through.
I pray for the Odinga family that God will give them grace to stay strong together.
Junior (Raila) has been good to us and a close friend. I got the chance to meet Rosemary and Winnie who are also very loving and caring.
I will stand with Lwam and help Allay achieve his father’s dreams.
