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Kenya, 20 October 2025 - ODM leader Raila Odinga, who passed away on 15 October 2025, was interred on Sunday in an event like no other where mourners thronged his Opoda farm in Siaya County to bid him farewell while others followed the events on big screens and on their Smartphones.
Loved by many across Kenya, Odinga enjoyed a formidable following in his Nyanza backyard comprising of Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, and Kisii.
Mourners retreated to social gathering spots pubs, restaurants, and community centres where screens broadcast the solemn ceremony, allowing people to participate in a shared act of remembrance.
These gatherings highlighted the immense respect and affection that Odinga commanded throughout the region and the country.
The funeral itself was a grand state event attended by a high-profile assembly of dignitaries from Kenya and abroad.
President William Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo were among the prominent figures present to pay their final respects.
Opposition leaders such as Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, and Martha Karua, alongside Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Members of Parliament, senators, governors, and county assembly members, also graced the occasion.
The wide political spectrum represented at the funeral demonstrated the unifying impact Odinga had on Kenya’s political landscape, bridging divisions even in death.
At the Kondele roundabout in Kisumu, long regarded as Raila Odinga’s political headquarters, hundreds expressed sorrow and uncertainty about the future without their leader.
Mr David Odhiambo, a local resident, reflected the communal sentiment, “We will always remember Odinga for all he did for us. Kondele was his base, and without him, we feel lost."
Such statements underscored the deep personal and political connection many had with the former Prime Minister.
Others recalled Odinga’s tangible contributions to the region, especially in infrastructure and development.
“The roads and projects we see today are a testament to his leadership,” said Mr Martin Onyango, expressing hope that ongoing developments would continue despite Odinga’s demise.
However, doubts linger about the continuity of these initiatives without his guiding influence.
Throughout the day, social gatherings across Nyanza reinforced a sense of unity and collective mourning.
Many thanked Odinga for his decades-long service, affirming that his legacy of political empowerment and development would live on in the hearts of Kenyans.
And finally Odinga rests next to his late parents - Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Mama Mary Juma - at Kango Ka Jaramogi, Bondo, Siaya County.
What next after Odinga? The country reflects on the immense void left behind by a leader whose impact transcended politics to touch the very fabric of Kenyan society.
The challenge now lies in honouring his legacy while navigating the uncertain path ahead.
