NAIROBI, Kenya — Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has paid a powerful and personal tribute to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, describing him as a “friend and brother” whose legacy is etched into Kenya’s fabric, in a moving condolence message that charts their journey from fierce political rivals to partners in peace.
The message follows the announcement of Odinga’s passing and offers an intimate perspective on one of Kenya’s most defining political relationships.
Kenyatta expressed a “profound and deeply personal” grief, stating that Odinga’s death has “left a silence that echoes across our nation, a silence where once there was a voice of thunder and conviction.”
He reflected on their decades-long political dynamic, noting they were “navigators on opposing currents, charting different courses for the nation we both loved.”
“Baba, as he was fondly known, was a man who made you sharpen your own ideas, compelling you to defend your positions with rigor and passion,” Kenyatta stated.
The Handshake That Redefined a Legacy
The core of Kenyatta’s message focused on their historic reconciliation in March 2018—the “Handshake”—which ended a prolonged political crisis following the disputed 2017 presidential election. This act, grounded in the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), was a constitutional and political effort to foster national unity.
“That journey from fierce political opponents to partners in the pursuit of ‘Handshake’ unity taught me the true measure of the man,” Kenyatta said. “I saw firsthand his unwavering passion for this country, his deep-seated belief in justice, and his incredible capacity to think beyond personal ambition for the sake of national peace.”
This perspective is corroborated by governance experts. Dr. Muthoni Wanyeki, a political analyst, noted that the Handshake, while politically contentious, was a critical juncture for Kenya’s stability. “It demonstrated that the two leaders could prioritize national cohesion over partisan competition, a fragile but necessary compromise in our political culture,” Wanyeki said.
Kenyatta concluded this chapter by declaring, “He was a formidable opponent, but he was an even more invaluable ally in the cause of reconciliation.”
A Personal Loss and a National Mourning
Moving beyond the political, the former president’s tone shifted to the personal. “I have lost a friend and a brother,” he wrote, highlighting conversations that were “sometimes challenging, always insightful.”
He extended his “deepest, most heartfelt condolences” to Odinga’s wife, Ida, the children, and the wider family, acknowledging their shared sacrifice. “You have shared Baba with Kenya for a lifetime, and we mourn with you,” he said.
This sentiment of national loss is being echoed across the political spectrum. In a statement from his Karen residence, President William Ruto described Odinga as “a formidable politician and a great Kenyan leader who shaped the country’s destiny for decades.”
Conversely, Kalonzo Musyoka of the Wiper Democratic Movement, a long-time ally of Odinga, broke down in tears while addressing the press, calling him “the people’s president we never had.”
As the nation grapples with the void left by its foremost opposition leader, Kenyatta’s final words sought to offer a measure of closure. “His legacy is not just in the political battles he fought, but in the peace he helped build,” he stated. “Rest in peace, my friend. Your work here is done, but your echo will never fade.”
The government has announced that preparations are underway for a state funeral, with details to be communicated following consultations with the Odinga family.
