NAIROBI, Kenya — Raila Odinga Junior, son of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, has shared an emotional tribute to his father that has deeply touched millions of Kenyans mourning the passing of the veteran opposition leader and democracy icon.
As Kenya enters its third day of national mourning, the video posted on Raila Junior’s social media pages offers a rare, intimate glimpse into the life of the man fondly known as Agwambo.
Set to soft instrumental music, the montage traces Raila’s extraordinary journey — from his early years as a freedom fighter and political detainee to his decades-long crusade for democracy, equality, and social justice. It also reveals his gentle side as a husband, father, and grandfather.
The tribute opens with one of Raila’s most memorable quotes:
“Remember the words of the dead; they are powerful. What they left behind, do not discard.”
The footage that follows features moments from his release from detention in the 1980s, fiery campaign rallies across the country, and jubilant crowds chanting his name — interwoven with rare family scenes: wedding photos, playful moments with grandchildren, and quiet evenings alongside his wife, Mama Ida Odinga.
“Thank you, Baba,” Raila Junior captioned the video, which has since gone viral, drawing thousands of comments from Kenyans and admirers across the world.
One particularly touching scene shows Raila reading to his grandchild — a tender reminder of the warmth behind his fierce political persona.
“This is the Raila we knew and loved — not just the politician, but the father of a nation,” one mourner wrote.
Others praised Raila Junior for humanizing a figure who, for decades, symbolized Kenya’s political resilience and moral conviction.
Raila’s body currently lies at Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi, where it was received with full military honors after arriving from India. State memorial services are planned in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Bondo, Siaya County, ahead of his interment.
Raila Odinga, 80, died on October 15, 2025, after suffering a cardiac arrest during a morning walk at an Ayurvedic hospital in Kerala, India. His death came just days after his family had assured the nation that he was recovering well.
President William Ruto declared a seven-day national mourning period and a public holiday on Friday, October 17, in honor of Odinga’s lifelong contribution to democracy, devolution, and human rights.
In the closing moments of the tribute, Raila Junior’s voice overlays the montage:
“His story doesn’t end here. It lives on in every Kenyan who dares to dream.”
The video, both elegiac and hopeful, encapsulates the collective grief of a nation — and the enduring spirit of a man who defined Kenya’s democratic conscience.
