BONDO, Kenya — A delegation from the Kikuyu Council of Elders, led by Ndia MP George Kariuki, on Wednesday paid a condolence visit to the family of the former Prime Minister, the late Raila Amolo Odinga, at their Opoda home in Bondo, Siaya County, in a symbolic act of peace, respect, and national cohesion.
The elders were received by Dr. Ida Odinga and Raila Odinga Jr., who welcomed them warmly and expressed gratitude for their solidarity during a moment of national mourning.
Speaking during the visit, MP Kariuki said the gesture represented both a mark of respect and a reaffirmation of the historical bonds between Kenya’s diverse communities, noting that Raila Odinga’s leadership had consistently been defined by unity and reconciliation.
“We are here to mourn a great leader,” Kariuki said. “Raila Odinga had many opportunities to let this country disintegrate, but he never misused those opportunities. Every time he faced a critical juncture, he chose unity and used those moments to bring Kenyans together.”
Kariuki hailed the late Odinga as a statesman who dedicated his life to democracy, justice, and peace, emphasizing that the truest way to honour his legacy was for Kenyans to remain united and work collectively for national progress.
He also extended appreciation to President William Ruto for the support and comfort extended to the Odinga family, describing it as a reflection of the spirit of national unity that Raila Odinga himself embodied throughout his political life.

“President Ruto’s gesture demonstrates that in times of sorrow, Kenya stands as one family,” Kariuki added. “This is exactly what Raila Odinga always preached — that unity is the cornerstone of our nationhood.”
Raila Junior thanked the delegation for their visit, describing it as a powerful symbol of healing and reconciliation. “Your presence here carries deep meaning, especially at a time when our country continues to heal and strengthen the bonds that hold us together,” he said.
Former Mukurwe-ini MP Kabando wa Kabando also praised the elders’ visit, calling it a profound act of patriotism and peacebuilding. “Thank you, Kikuyu elders, the Kiama kia Ma (Council of Truth).
May God protect the soul, family, and community of Jaramogi–Raila Odinga. Long live Luo–Kikuyu solidarity! Long live Kenya! The gallant legacy of the enigma, Agwambo Jakom Baba, lives on,” he wrote.
The visit by the Kikuyu elders — representing one of Kenya’s most influential cultural groups — comes amid an outpouring of tributes from across the political divide, with leaders describing Odinga’s passing as a national loss that transcends ethnicity and ideology.
For many observers, the gesture underscores a moment of renewed national reflection, where shared grief has rekindled hopes for reconciliation, unity, and the strengthening of Kenya’s social fabric — values that Raila Odinga championed for more than five decades in public service.