Raila we miss you: Thousands gather to honour Baba on first anniversary

Railas Supporters follow proceedings during the remembrance service at Migwena ground. [Michael Mute, Standard]

The spirits of the late ODM leader Raila Odinga awoke yesterday as emotions ran high in a politically charged first anniversary with significant implications for the country’s political landscape in the post-Raila era.

He was the man they loved. The legend they cherished and the father who united them with love and nurtured some to become prominent politicians retracing his footsteps.

Thousands of supporters of the late veteran politician thronged the historic Migwena grounds to celebrate the life and times of a man who impacted the country for over five decades. The pain and anxiety of a year without him were evident, even as political undertones threatened to drown his anniversary.

For some, tears flowed as others chanted traditional dirges in honour of the veteran politician. Although the family had requested the event to be free from politics, the orange colours associated with the ODM party that fortified Raila’s political journey were in full display.

Thousands of mourners dressed in orange streamed into Migwena Cultural and Sports Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County, from as early as 6 am on Thursday, October 15, to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.

The grounds gradually filled with supporters wearing orange caps, capes and other clothing associated with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), as residents from different parts of the country arrived to honour the former Prime Minister and reflect on his political legacy.

Some came in groups, singing and sharing memories of the late opposition leader, while others carried newspapers bearing his image. The gathering brought together ordinary residents, political leaders, religious representatives and members of the Odinga family for a day of remembrance, prayers, speeches and entertainment. More than 20,000 people were expected at the grounds for the commemoration, with the organising committee assuring mourners and guests of adequate security throughout the event.

Railas Supporters follow proceedings during the remembrance service at Migwena ground. [Michael Mute, Standard]

However, the gathering experienced moments of tension as groups of youths moved around the venue, with pushing and shoving reported in different sections of the grounds.

The family of the late Raila, led by his widow, Mama Ida Odinga, was forced to shift its sitting position to the clergy section following discomfort in its initial seating area after a brief commotion involving youths who had accompanied several leaders to the event.

Mama Ida delivered an emotional tribute to her late husband, describing the pain of living without him a year after his death and calling on Kenyans to uphold peace, tolerance and love in his memory. Her emotional tribute mirrored that of her daughter Winnie Odinga and her brother Oburu Oginga, whose speech was read by ODM deputy party leader Simba Arati.

Speaking during the first anniversary commemoration at Migwena Cultural and Sports Ground in Bondo, Siaya County, on Thursday, Ida said the loss remained painful, with everyday moments at home reminding her that Raila was no longer alive.

She said that despite the passage of 12 months, the loss sometimes felt as though it had happened only yesterday.

“For more than 50 years, I knew the man called Agwambo, some calling him Tinga, some calling him the People’s President, the Prime Minister, Baba, Baba Junior and Baba Winnie. I know all of you have different names for him, but one thing I know is that the majority of our people loved him, and when he passed on, it has not been easy for the majority of you,” she said.

Ida said her personal struggle since Raila’s death had been difficult, recalling how she sometimes left the door open in the evening, hoping he would return home.

“In the evening, sometimes Baba used to come late. I would leave the door open, hoping that he was going to come in, and the door would remain open for a very long time. When I later realised he was not coming back, I would go and close the door,” she said.

She added that family members still found themselves listening for his footsteps and expecting to see him when morning came, only to be reminded that he was gone.

“People do ask me how I am. I tell them I am fine, I am strong. I am strong because of you people; you are strong for me,” she said.

Ida said she drew comfort from the support and prayers she had received from Kenyans across the country and in the diaspora, including people from Bondo, Nairobi, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Turkana, Namanga and Mombasa.

She thanked those who had stood with her during the difficult period, saying their prayers and encouragement had helped her cope with the loss.

She also quoted William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, recalling the words, “No life lives forever, and dead men rise never,” as she reflected on the reality of death and the need to find strength to move forward.

Ida acknowledged that many Kenyans were still grieving Raila but urged them to mourn with dignity and goodwill.

“I know you are still grieving too. But as we grieve, let us do it with dignity, let us do it with love, let us do it with a good heart,” she said.

She warned those who might attend gatherings in Raila’s name with intentions other than remembering him to allow others to pay tribute peacefully.

Railas Supporters follow proceedings during the remembrance service at Migwena ground. [Michael Mute, Standard]

“When we come to a place like this, not everybody comes with the same intentions. Those who have different intentions, please just hold on so that those who have come to remember Baba can be able to remember him,” she said.

Ida also paid tribute to institutions and initiatives established to carry forward Raila’s ideals, saying his dreams would continue to live through the work of those committed to them.

She cited the Raila Odinga Centre for Democracy, the Raila Leadership Academy, as well as schools and foundations established in his name, saying such institutions would help preserve his vision for the country.

“The dreams do not die with the dreamer,” she said.

Recalling a past appeal she made to Kenyans to support her husband, Ida said she had released him to the public to continue his political work and serve the country, but had ultimately received him back in a coffin.

She said Raila’s legacy should not be exploited for personal or political convenience, warning that different voices would emerge in the months ahead claiming to speak in his name

“In the months ahead, voices will rise in his name. Some will speak out of love, some will speak out of convenience. Legacy is not something to be spent. It will live on,” she said.

Ida then asked Kenyans to offer three gifts in Raila’s memory: peace, tolerance and love.

She said Raila had demonstrated tolerance throughout his political life by engaging people who opposed him, disagreed with him or had been his rivals.

Ida urged Kenyans to follow that example, saying those considered political enemies should not be denied respect or compassion.

Winnie described the absence of her father as a significant loss to the family and the country at large.

Winnie delivered an emotional tribute to her father, telling mourners that his death had deeply affected her and that the anniversary was a difficult moment for the family.

She thanked those who had turned up to remember Raila, saying the day belonged not only to the family but also to the many Kenyans who had supported and walked with him throughout his political journey.

“Thanks for coming to see our father, who rested one year ago. This is a difficult moment for us. Today, this belongs to all of us,” she said.

Winnie then addressed her father directly, saying she had wanted to tell him how much she loved him during their last conversations in India but had held back for fear of appearing emotional.

“I want to speak to my father at my father’s grave. I cannot tell a lie. Let me talk to you. I love you, Dad. When we spoke in India, I wanted to tell my dad, ‘I love you,’ but I thought my dad would tell me I was being emotional,” she said.

Leaders who joined the family in marking Raila’s first anniversary recounted Raila’s long journey of struggle and claimed that his demise had broken the country.

Linda Mwanainchi presidential hopeful Edwin Sifuna said that Raila had nurtured them and taught them the principles of politics.

“Baba taught us that politics is not by force; it is about persuasion,” said Sifuna.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino described Raila as a great leader who taught them that leadership is more important than titles, adding that Raila’s spirit will always be with them.

“As a family, we continue to feel the void he left, but we are striving to honour his legacy. Our family home is no longer a place where people can come and remember that democracy comes at a price,” said Raila Junior.

He added that Raila’s work remains unfinished.