Moments of profound national loss call for understanding complicated grief

Mourners during the State funeral service of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, on October 17, 2025. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

There is no doubt that the death of Raila Amolo Odinga affectionately known as “Baba” by his supporters, has had a seismic impact on Kenyans. Amidst all this, we need to watch out for complicated grief which is defined as prolonged, intense mourning that disrupts daily life.  

Of course, Raila’s death resonates profoundly across Kenya not merely because of his political stature, but because he embodied the soul of a nation in search of justice. For decades, he was the voice of the marginalized, the symbol of resistance, and the vessel through which millions channelled their hopes for a fairer society. His sacrifices, years in detention, repeated electoral heartbreaks, and unwavering defiance made him more than a leader; he became a spiritual anchor, a father figure known simply as “Baba.” His passing feels like the closing of a chapter in Kenya’s moral and emotional history, stirring grief not just for the man, but for the ideals he carried with him: courage, unity, and the dream of a truly inclusive republic.