The family of the late Raila Odinga has warned Kenyans against using his name to collect money for events marking the first anniversary of his death.
They say anyone is free to remember him, but no one should raise funds in the name of the family or the official anniversary committee.
The Raila Amolo Odinga Memorial National Steering Committee, chaired by Prof Adams Oloo, said it has received reports that some people are already trying to solicit money using the anniversary period.
Oloo stated clearly: “Everybody is warmly welcomed to remember Jakom [Odinga] in the best way they can, provided no funds are raised in the name of the family or the National Steering Committee.”
The committee said the warning is meant to stop people from exploiting the remembrance activities for personal gain.
The family and the committee want the events to focus on celebrating Raila’s legacy and the ideals he stood for, such as democracy, justice and national unity.
The official remembrance will include candle-lighting ceremonies in Raila’s memory. The main candle-lighting event is scheduled for October 14 at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County, and will be led by Raila’s wife, Mama Ida Odinga.
The family says the anniversary activities will take place during the week of October 15, exactly one year after he died.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the party Raila led for many years, has also planned a month-long programme across
Kenya to mark the anniversary. The climax will be a memorial service in Bondo on October 15.
. He entered active politics in the early 1990s, during the authoritarian rule of President Daniel arap Moi.
In those years, he spent time in jail and in exile while fighting for democracy and political reforms.
He was elected Member of Parliament for Lang’ata in 1992 and served in that seat until 2013. He also held Cabinet positions under Presidents Moi and Mwai Kibaki, and later served as Kenya’s Prime Minister in the Grand Coalition Government from 2008 to 2013.
Raila ran for president several times: in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2022. He lost the 1997 election, and in the next four contests he claimed he was cheated out of victory.
His long campaigns helped push major constitutional changes, including the 2010 Constitution.
At the time of his death, Raila was part of a broad-based government arrangement with President William Ruto, aimed at improving leadership and service delivery.
Raila Odinga died on October 15, 2025, in Kochi, India, where he was receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed condition.
Reports said he suffered a cardiac arrest during a morning walk at an Ayurvedic hospital.
He was 80 years old. President Ruto declared seven days of national mourning, and flags were flown at half-mast across Kenya.
As the first anniversary approaches, the family insists that remembrance should honour Raila’s ideals, not become a chance for unauthorised fundraising.