Prince Indah, Diamond Platnumz, Rayvanny, Zuchu, King Kaka, Christina Shusho lead stars mourning Raila Odinga

A wave of emotion has swept across East Africa as celebrated Tanzanian and Kenyan artists released powerful songs in honour of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, transforming grief into melody and remembrance into rhythm. From Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, studios came alive with soulful beats and heartfelt lyrics as top musicians, among them Tanzania's Christina Shusho, Diamond Platnumz, Rayvanny, Mbosso, and Zuchu, and Kenya's Bahati, Ken Wa Maria, Prince Indah, King Kaka, Mr Seed, Dogo Charlie, Vinny Flava, and Musa Jakadalla, joined in the musical send-off for Baba. Raila, who passed away on Wednesday, October 15, while undergoing treatment in India, will be laid to rest on Sunday in Bondo, Siaya County. Tanzanian gospel sensation Christina Shusho led the tributes with a soul-stirring Kiswahili track titled "Pumzika Baba" (Rest Father). The 2.27-minute audio-visual production, released on Friday by The Greenleaf Studios, opens with the Kenyan flag fluttering beside a Kenya Airways plane - an emotional visual prelude to a nation in mourning. In the song, Shusho hails Raila as a "mwanamageuzi" (reformist), a selfless leader who gave himself for Kenya's people and Africa's progress. Kenya is my second home.My Ministry has immensely grown through the support of my kenyan Family.I stand with you as we celebrate this great son of Africa @RailaOdinga .I had to do this for Kenyans. pic.twitter.com/JoGIbawbBb - Christina shusho (@ShushoChristina) October 16, 2025 "Umelala wee..., Baba umelala wee, nenda wee, Raila nenda wee... tulikupenda Mungu akakupenda zaidi... Mwanamageuzi wa Africa, mtetezi wa wanyonge... Ulijitoa kwa ajili ya watu, ulijitoa kwa ajili ya Kenya hatutasahau..." With poetic grace and gentle instrumentation, Shusho celebrates Raila's legacy not only as a political icon but as a father, mentor, and teacher. She explained her inspiration in a heartfelt post on her verified X (Twitter) account: "Kenya is my second home. My Ministry has immensely grown through the support of my Kenyan family. I stand with you as we celebrate this great son of Africa @RailaOdinga. I had to do this for Kenyans." Bongo superstar Diamond Platnumz followed suit with a 9:41-minute anthem titled "Ulae Salama (Raila Odinga)", featuring Rayvanny, Mbosso, and Zuchu. Rayvanny also released a solo 1:58-minute track, "Be Bye Raila Amolo Odinga", whose thumbnail features Raila's iconic white hat and clenched fist - an image of resistance and legacy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by CHUI... ? (@rayvanny) Bongo superstar Diamond Platnumz followed suit with a 9:41-minute anthem titled "Ulae Salama (Raila Odinga)", featuring Rayvanny, Mbosso, and Zuchu. Rayvanny also released a solo 1:58-minute track, "Be Bye Raila Amolo Odinga", whose thumbnail features Raila's iconic white hat and clenched fist, an image of resistance and legacy. Kenyan hitmaker Bahati poured his emotions into two versions of "Bye Bye Baba" - one solo and another featuring Tanzania's Daniel Gonge. The songs combine studio clips with footage of Raila's past rallies and moments, alternating between colour and black-and-white visuals of his passing. In Kiswahili lyrics, Bahati mourns, "Umeenda mapema damu ya Gen-Z bado haijalipwa... tuliamini siku moja utaongoza... umeenda mapema ulichopigania matunda haujaona..." He goes on to lament unfinished business, political uncertainty, and the dreams Raila left behind - a raw, reflective moment that resonated deeply with fans. Dogo Charlie's "Raila Odinga Lala Salama" borrows from Diamond's melody but weaves in fresh emotion using real footage from Raila's final days in India. His chorus is a haunting prayer: "Umelala lala salama, pumzika Baba yetu, Kenya tutakukumbuka sana..." Luo star Prince Indah joined the tribute with "Tribute to Rt Hon Raila Odinga," a 3:47-minute Dholuo song featuring intimate pictures and videos from Raila's family life and political journey. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Prince Indah, OGW (@princeindah) Another lakeside favourite, Musa Jakadalla, followed with "Loo Jajuok," an emotional 3:48-minute composition celebrating the late leader's legacy among the greats of the Lake region. In Nairobi, rapper King Kaka released "BABA (Tribute to RAO)," a short but powerful 1:33-minute piece blending rap poetry with still images of Raila and his wife, Ida. View this post on Instagram A post shared by King Kaka (@thekingkaka) "Baba hata hao wanajua ulituliza vitu... Baba wakileta noma nani atakuwa opposition?... I can't believe you are gone." Mr Seed paid his homage through a 3:23-minute track simply titled "Raila Odinga." The song interlaces Odinga's favourite Harry Belafonte's "Jamaican Farewell" with studio sessions and funeral clips, turning nostalgia into art. Veteran musician Ken Wa Maria added his voice with the 9:27-minute "Raila Apumzika," released on October 16. He praises Raila's lifelong fight for democracy and urges Kenya's leaders to emulate his courage and unity. Other Ukambani artistes Kinyaata Surebet ("Safiri Maber Raila") and Ken Kijana ("Silep Well"), also released heartfelt tributes celebrating the fallen leader.

Prince Indah, Diamond Platnumz, Rayvanny, Zuchu, King Kaka, Christina Shusho lead stars mourning Raila Odinga

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Stand With Bold Journalism.
Stand With The Standard.

Related Topics

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

DIGGER JOBS

Digger Motors

Digger Real Estate

Prince Indah, Diamond Platnumz, Rayvanny, Zuchu, King Kaka, Christina Shusho lead stars mourning Raila Odinga

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Stand With Bold Journalism. Stand With The Standard.

Related Topics

Trending Now

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

Stand With Bold Journalism.
Stand With The Standard.