NAIROBI, Kenya- Lawyer Donald Kipkorir has defended the Odinga family’s decision to welcome political leaders from across the divide to Raila Odinga’s first anniversary memorial, saying critics who claim to have loved the late former Prime Minister are now attacking his family over the guest list.
In a post on X, Kipkorir said it was ironic that some people who professed love for Raila were “abusing his family” because they had opened the event to Kenyans of different political affiliations.
He also criticised those who celebrated not attending the memorial.
Kipkorir said Raila’s widow, Ida Odinga, and their children Rosemary, Winnie and Raila Junior would always hold a special place for those who loved the former Prime Minister.
“We will always honour and respect them,” he wrote.
The comments come amid debate over the invitation of Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua to Raila’s first anniversary commemoration.
The event was held on October 15 at Migwena Cultural and Sports Ground in Bondo, Siaya County, a year after Raila died while receiving treatment in India.
Gachagua did not attend.
He later said Ida had invited him but that he was in the United States on a programme arranged earlier.
He thanked her for the invitation and paid tribute to Raila, describing him as a defender of democracy and Kenyans’ rights.
“I am saddened that the very people now singing praises to Baba have, in one way or another, destroyed his greatest legacy, the political machine previously known as ODM. It is a pity, just one year after his death, that his greatest legacy, the ODM party, is now a pale shadow of its former self,” the former Deputy President said.
The invitation drew objections from some ODM figures.
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed said he skipped the memorial after seeing Gachagua’s name on the guest list.
“Wakati nimeangalia list ya wale wamealikwa, nikaona mtu anaitwa Gachagua. Nikasema siwezi kukaa mahali moja na mtu kama huyo. Spirit ya Baba haiwezi kukaa pahali kama hiyo,” Junet said.
Junet said he was uncomfortable sharing a platform with the DCP leader, whom he associated with remarks he considered inconsistent with Raila’s values.
Other opposition figures attended, including Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua and Siaya Governor James Orengo.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo were also among the guests.
The Odinga family had urged leaders to keep partisan politics out of the anniversary and make it a moment to remember Raila’s life.
Ida later apologised to guests who were booed or intimidated at the event, saying all those invited were welcome regardless of their political affiliations.
She said the invitations reflected Raila’s relationships across the political divide and that attendance or absence should not be treated as a sign of disagreement with the family.
The dispute has brought competing interpretations of Raila’s political legacy into the anniversary’s aftermath.
Some supporters objected to welcoming a politician they viewed as a former adversary of Raila, while others argued that an open invitation reflected the late leader’s record of engaging political rivals.
Raila, who led ODM for many years and served as Kenya’s Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013, died on October 15, 2025, aged 80.
The first anniversary brought together relatives, political allies, former rivals and members of the public in Bondo to remember his life and political contribution.
Raila was one of Kenya’s most influential politicians and a central figure in the campaign for multiparty democracy.
The son of Kenya’s first Vice-President, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, he entered politics when the country was governed under a one-party system.
In 1982, Raila was arrested after being accused of involvement in a failed coup attempt against President Daniel arap Moi.
He was detained without trial for six years and later experienced further detention and exile. After returning to Kenya, he joined the campaign for political pluralism and became a leading opposition figure.
He was among the founders of the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy and later built ODM into one of Kenya’s largest political parties.
Raila ran for president five times—in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2022—but never won the presidency.
The disputed 2007 election led to deadly violence and a power-sharing agreement between him and President Mwai Kibaki.
Under the 2008 National Accord, Raila became Prime Minister in a grand coalition government, serving until 2013.
During that period, Kenya adopted the 2010 Constitution, introducing devolution and a new Bill of Rights.
For decades, Raila remained a prominent opposition leader, campaigning on electoral reform, constitutional change and accountability.
He built a large following and was known for political alliances that crossed old rivalries. His supporters saw him as a symbol of resistance and democratic change.
