Oburu Oginga, Mama Ida Lead Family in Paying Tribute to Raila as Mausoleum Opens [Full Speeches]

Siaya Senator and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Oginga and Mama Ida Odinga have led the family in honouring the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Oburu Oginga’s son, Jaoko Oburu, delivered the speech on October 7 during the formal handover of Raila’s mausoleum, apologizing on behalf of his father, who is still recovering in hospital.

ODM party leader described the monument as more than a place of rest, saying it would serve as a center for future generations to learn about Kenya’s democratic struggle.

Here is what they said:

Oburu Oginga – Brother to the late Raila Odinga

Remembering his brother he said:

“I stand before you today with profound gratitude, on behalf of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga family and the entire Kang’o ka Jaramogi clan.

Today marks a deeply significant milestone as we witness the formal handover of this magnificent monument built in honour of my late brother, the Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga.

This mausoleum is not just a place of rest. It stands proudly as a living centre of democracy. It is a monument dedicated to the ideals of freedom, constitutionalism and the relentless pursuit of justice that my brother championed throughout his life.

It will serve as a beacon for future generations to learn the price of liberty and the value of national unity.

Standing here at Kang’o ka Jaramogi, we cannot begin without honouring the foundation upon which this monument is built. It represents the enduring mark of our family’s multigenerational journey towards democracy.

It began with our late patriarch, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, a cornerstone of Kenya’s democracy. Jaramogi sacrificed comfort, status and freedom to fight for internal self-governance, institutional reforms and the birth of multiparty democracy.

My brother, Raila Amolo Odinga, took that torch from Jaramogi’s hand and bore it through the dark decades of the Second Liberation, institutional changes and the realization of the 2010 Constitution. As we stand at this monument today, we proudly recognize ODM as having long served as a symbol of the struggle for multipartyism, devolution and institutional accountability.

Through our participation in the broad-based government, we are witnessing the fruits of political maturity and unity. This collaborative arrangement has helped stabilize our political environment and accelerate critical national developments.

We acknowledge and laud the tangible strides made under this unified approach, including the creation of the National Infrastructure Fund, the Universal Health Coverage agenda anchored by the SHA programme, robust fertiliser subsidies supporting our farmers, major expansions in the Sovereign Wealth Fund, and critical education reforms addressing our teacher shortage. This proves that when we pool our leadership for the collective good, Kenya wins.

Finally, I will share personal updates. As you can see, I am speaking to you while observing strict directives from my doctors to rest and limit my physical engagements. However, I want to assure you that as I take this forced rest, my spirit, my mind and my heart are fully present.

I am keenly aware of every detail of today’s ceremony, and I share the exact same commitment to this cause, to the unity of our people, as everyone gathered here today.”

Raila Odiga’s Wife – Ida Odinga

Remembering her husband, she said:

“Raila had a great sense of humour. He used to relate to his friends in different ways, and some people even became friends with one another because they were friends of Raila.

One thing I keep repeating, particularly to the spouses of politicians, is that politicians make friends today, and tomorrow you hear that those friends are no longer friends but enemies. They can also make enemies today and, tomorrow, become great friends.

So I always advise the spouses of politicians to inherit their friends but not their enemies.

I say this because if you make the mistake of inheriting their enemies, you may find yourself with a heavy heart when you see people you consider enemies. You could be watching the evening news and suddenly see that same person sitting with your spouse, watching an Arsenal match or another football game, or simply relaxing and laughing together.

That is one thing we cannot inherit. So please, inherit their friends, but do not inherit their enemies. Raila will deal with them separately. He will make enemies, make them friends again, then make enemies and friends again. Do not join him in that field.

So that is the advice I would give.

So many things have happened in our lives. We have lived many years together, and I have known Raila for more than 50 years. During those years, I have come to know him well, and I know there are other people who know him well too. We have had our ups and downs.”

Also Read: Inside Raila Odinga’s Mausoleum and the Meaning Behind Its Pentagon Design

Winnie Odinga’s Heartfelt Tribute

A daughter poured out her heart. She said: 

“Dad understood that strong convictions and human relationships could exist together, although those of us around him sometimes needed a little more time to catch up.

You could be very annoyed with someone on his behalf, defending him, refusing to even greet them and preparing a strong argument, only to discover that he had already had tea with them somewhere else. By then, you were the one causing problems. He had already moved on, while you were still working with yesterday’s instructions.

I think this was demonstrated best by his relationship with President Moi. For our family, that history was painful. There were years of detention, years when Mama was raising children while wondering whether her husband would come back, and years of absence that no later conversation could give back.

Yet, in time, Baba and Moi found a way to speak again. They made peace and worked together. Imagine entering that conversation carrying everything you remember — eight years in solitary confinement, without a mattress or even a blanket — and still going to shake that person’s hand.

Years later, at Moi’s memorial, Baba stood before the nation and acknowledged that he had been a victim. He did not pretend that the past had been easy. Then he said, “We made our peace and we shook hands.”

That was a long journey contained in a few words. For me, the lesson is that you can remember what happened, hold firmly to what you believe and still leave a door open.

It is in that spirit that, on October 15, we have invited people of different political inclinations, from different tribes and communities, from neighbouring countries and beyond, to join us in celebrating the memory of Baba.

These people share different chapters of Baba’s life, and they are welcome to honour him with us.

We may hold different political convictions. We may disagree strongly about the direction of our country, but you are welcome here. Nobody is being asked to surrender their beliefs at the gate.

As his family, we call for a political ceasefire in his honour. Please let October 15 be a day of remembrance and celebration. It should not become a political showground or a competition over who owns the crowd, who receives the loudest cheers or who can embarrass another guest.

An invitation to remember your friend and your leader should not become a reason to fear humiliation.”

Also Read: Ida Odinga Takes a Stand on Who Owns Raila’s Tribute

Raila Junior Tribute

A son filled with the memories of his Father, stood and said:

“We are grateful to Baba for the life he lived and the example he set. He taught us to stand for what is right, defend the weak, speak for the voiceless and remain committed to the principles of justice and democracy.

His legacy belongs not only to the Odinga family or the people of Nyanza, but to our country and to all those around the world who believed in the principles he stood for.

With this mausoleum, we now have a place where we can honour Baba and receive pilgrims from near and far. We also appreciate the people of Kenya for the love, respect and support you have continued to show our family.

Baba belonged to you, and you helped make him who he was. Your memories, prayers and solidarity will forever remain part of his legacy.

As the mausoleum is handed over, we believe it will be more than a monument. It will be a place of learning, reflection, unity and inspiration.

May all who visit remember that building a better Kenya requires courage, sacrifice, service and faith in our people.

May the legacy of the Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga continue to inspire Kenyans, Africans and people around the world.”

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