Top Tanzanian musicians Diamond Platnumz, Harmonize, and Rayvanny have paid emotional tributes to the late Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga, whose death in India has drawn widespread mourning across East Africa.
Diamond Platnumz shared a touching photo on Instagram showing him shaking hands with Raila during a past event. The Waah! hitmaker captioned it, “Mwenyez Mungu ailaze roho yako mahali pema peponi, Amina,” accompanied by prayer and candle emojis. The post drew thousands of reactions from fans expressing their sorrow and recalling the close cultural bond between the artist and Odinga, who had appeared together at rallies and concerts.
Harmonize also took to his Instagram stories to honour Raila, reposting Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s condolence message and writing, “My Kenyan people, I am very sorry for the loss of Baba. I am with you in this difficult time and we are mourning together these seven days announced by the President.” His message of unity and solidarity resonated deeply with Kenyan followers mourning the veteran politician’s passing.
Rayvanny, meanwhile, posted a video of himself standing beside Raila during a previous performance in Kenya, captioned “M.A.P. 🕊️🕊️🕊️ Baba,” symbolising respect and peace. The short tribute clip quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing tributes from fans and fellow artists.
The three tributes highlight the profound impact Raila Odinga had beyond politics, extending into music and culture across the region. East African artists have continued to express condolences, underscoring Raila’s legacy as a unifying figure admired across generations and borders.