In a rare display of national unity, President William Ruto has declared a period of national mourning and announced a State Funeral with full military honors for the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
The decision marks a historic moment, not just for its symbolism, but for what it reveals about Odinga's towering influence on Kenya’s political landscape.
Through a presidential proclamation issued from State House, Nairobi, Ruto ordered the national flag to be flown at half-mast across all public buildings, military installations, and Kenyan diplomatic missions abroad.
In a further gesture of respect, senior government officials, including the President himself, have been directed not to fly the national flag on their official vehicles during the mourning period—a significant suspension of standard protocol.
These measures underscore the profound national impact of Odinga’s life and work. Often described as the face of Kenya’s long journey to democratic maturity, Odinga’s legacy is complex and far-reaching.
President Ruto’s tribute captured this sentiment, calling him “the father of our democracy, a tireless champion for social justice, a renowned Pan-Africanist, and a statesman without equal.”
Indeed, Odinga’s political career spans decades and includes pivotal roles in Kenya’s push for multiparty democracy, his central place in the struggle for constitutional reform, and his symbolic significance in multiple election cycles.
He is widely credited with shaping the discourse around governance, human rights, and electoral justice—sometimes at great personal and political cost.
Ruto’s remarks went further to acknowledge Odinga’s role in the Second Liberation and the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution, describing him as “a visionary of uncommon resolve and a defender of the defenseless.”
It’s a rare tone of reverence, especially considering the often-contentious political rivalry between the two leaders. Their shared history—marked by both cooperation and confrontation—mirrors the broader story of Kenya's political evolution.
The President’s directive for a State Funeral with military honors also positions Odinga alongside Kenya’s most revered national figures. It aligns with the state's tradition of honoring leaders whose legacies transcend partisan boundaries, as seen in the past with figures like Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and President Daniel arap Moi.
Odinga’s death comes at a time when Kenya is grappling with generational political shifts and an increasingly assertive civil society. In this context, Ruto’s decision to honor Odinga in such unequivocal terms may also be read as a gesture of political maturity—an acknowledgment that Kenya’s future cannot be separated from the sacrifices of its past reformers.
By extending heartfelt condolences to Mama Ida Odinga and the Oginga Odinga family, Ruto struck a personal and national chord.
“May his family be comforted, his memory honored, and his example emulated,” he said—words that reflect the mood of a country in mourning, but also a nation reflecting on its democratic journey.
As Kenya prepares to lay one of its most influential sons to rest, the tone set by the government signals a broader consensus, that Raila Odinga’s contribution to the country transcends political rivalry.
In death, as in life, he remains a symbol of struggle, resilience, and hope.
