NAIROBI, Kenya — In a rare display of political consensus, leaders from across Kenya’s political spectrum have publicly mourned Raila Odinga’s passing, putting aside past rivalries in tribute to a national icon.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta recalled their contentious past, then the evolution to reconciliation, describing Odinga as both a colleague and a brother.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka halted his UK tour, redirecting attention and resources home to honor Odinga’s legacy.
Other opposition parties and allied politicians issued statements extolling Odinga’s role in institutional reforms, democracy, and political mentorship.
This atmosphere of unity may herald a transitional moment in Kenyan politics: one where grief tightens political coherence, at least momentarily. For a coalition-based opposition, the question is whether that unity will endure once memorials end.
