NAIROBI, Kenya — During the solemn state funeral at Nyayo National Stadium, Raila Odinga Jnr, the only surviving son of the former Prime Minister, late Raila Amolo Odinga, delivered an emotional and dignified tribute that underscored both his grief and sense of responsibility to carry forward his father’s legacy.
Speaking before a hushed crowd, Raila Jnr reflected on the personal void left by his father’s passing, drawing a tender link to the family’s earlier loss of his elder brother, Fidel Odinga.
“I am very alive to the fact that with my brother Fidel gone, I remain the gentleman of the family,” he said, his voice breaking slightly. “Dad, I want to assure you that I will take care of our family — Mum, Rosie, Winnie — and the larger political family. Thank you for the gift of life and for giving me your name, and for never heaping the weight of it on me.”
His remarks were met with quiet applause and visible emotion from the Odinga family seated nearby.
Raila Jnr described his father as a man of resilience, faith, and unshakable principle — a leader who never compromised on justice and who taught his children the meaning of humility even in greatness.
“You taught us that leadership is not about power, but about purpose,” he said. “You carried the hopes of a nation with grace, and even in your final moments, you showed strength that words cannot capture.”
He also thanked Kenyans for standing by the family during their time of mourning, calling for unity and peace in honour of his father’s lifelong pursuit of democracy.
“My father believed in Kenya,” he added. “He believed that no matter how divided we are, we could still rise above hate and choose to love this country more than ourselves.”
Raila Jnr’s speech was short but heartfelt — a blend of sorrow, gratitude, and resolve. As he stepped away from the podium, chants of “Baba! Baba!” filled the stadium once more, echoing the enduring spirit of a man whose name will remain synonymous with Kenya’s struggle for justice and freedom.
