Chaos, political rivalry mar Raila Odinga anniversary event

Chaos and political rivalry marred the first anniversary of the late Raila Odinga’s death at Migwena Cultural Centre in Bondo, Siaya County, as rival political camps clashed over his legacy and the direction of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

From as early as 6am, supporters of different politicians streamed into the venue, setting the stage for a tense gathering that exposed divisions within the party.

The event began at around 11am with a church service presided over by the Anglican Church of Kenya, followed by speeches from family members, interspersed with musical performances.

However, proceedings were disrupted when youths allied to various politicians crowded the VIP tent, making it difficult for leaders to follow the programme. Repeated appeals by the master of ceremonies for them to leave went unheeded, forcing members of the Odinga family led by Raila’s widow Ida and children Raila Junior, Rosemary and Winnie, to move to another tent.

Tensions later escalated when a section of the youths began throwing stones towards the VIP tent. Security personnel attached to the leaders used plastic chairs to shield them as people at the venue scrambled for safety with some attendees sustaining injuries.

Similar incidents occurred intermittently as political rivalry played out between leaders aligned with the Linda Mwananchi faction and those supporting the broad-based government.

Despite the disruptions, the programme continued with family members paying tribute to Raila, who died a year ago.

Mama Ida conveyed apologies from the family spokesperson and ODM leader Dr Oburu Oginga after sections of the crowd demanded to know where he was and asked about his health.

“Allow me to convey apologies from Dr Oburu Oginga. He is not feeling well but is not very sick. The doctors looking after him have advised that he doesn't attend public gatherings like this. He has told me to tell you that he is resting but has asked for your prayers so that he can recover as soon as possible,” Ida said.

She appealed to the youths to remain calm, describing the past year as a difficult period for the family.

“This past year has not been easy for us, the Odinga family. We lost Raila, and lost his sister within a period of forty days. It has been very heavy in our hearts. Today I have got a new name; I have come as a widow, mother and grandmother and daughter of the soil. As a family, we still hope that we are going to listen to his steps coming back home, but unfortunately, he won't come back,” she said.

Ms Odinga said she drew comfort from the support of people in Bondo, Kisumu and other parts of the country as well as Kenyans in the diaspora.

She also recalled the pain of losing her husband after releasing him to the public to pursue his political ambitions.

“During the December 10, 2021, Azimio la Umoja convention at Kasarani, I released Jakom to the public. Today I am sorry to report that I gave you him alive, but you gave him back to me in a coffin,” she said.

She called for peace, tolerance and love in honour of Raila, urging leaders and elders to guide young people with patience and understanding.

“To elders and people in responsibility, give the young people a chance because what they have gone through is like training. If they are wrong, correct them with love. Young people, respect your elders,” she said.

The anniversary also provided a platform for members of the Odinga family to declare their political ambitions with Winnie Odinga announcing her bid for the Nairobi senatorial seat while her brother, Raila Junior, asked the community to support his political ambitions in Kibra.

Winnie said her decision to contest for the Senate was partly informed by the political uncertainty surrounding ODM and the future of its leaders.

“I know many have many questions asking where I am, and where we are headed. Today I want to respond. Let it not be a rumour that as Edwin Sifuna searches for other offices, there is a space in the Senate in Nairobi and that is why I have decided that I will contest for the Nairobi senatorial seat. I am not going alone; I am going with young people,” she said.

Her brother pledged to continue advancing the causes his father championed in Kibra.

“Baba loved everyone as well as Kibra, and I also do. I remember the many things he taught us; the biggest is to stand for what is right and defend the weak. His politics was not about power but ordinary people. He carried their hopes as if they were his own children. We remember him most for the love he had for Kenya, having pulled this country from the brink in 2007 because he believed Kenya was bigger than him,” Raila Junior said.

Meanwhile, Ruth Odinga hinted at a possible exit from ODM, saying she would consider joining another party if that offered a better platform to pursue social justice.

She insisted that the Odinga family would continue championing the ideals associated with Raila and their late patriarch, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

“Raila stood for social justice and not a system to kill and maim people. What Raila fought for should remain and continue. I will pursue this; if not ODM, then I will move to another party. I will move on because I want justice to remain in Kenya. And we must fight for justice and we must fight forever,” she said.

Ruth’s remarks underscored the growing divisions within ODM, with leaders aligned with the Linda Mwananchi faction advocating a more confrontational approach towards President William Ruto’s administration, while allies of the broad-based government defended cooperation with the President.

Kisii Governor Simba Arati appeared to respond to those considering leaving ODM, urging them to remain in the party but saying those determined to leave should do so.

“Those who want to leave ODM, we ask you to remain, but if you have decided to go, go away because we know you have been bought by Sponyo. ODM remains strong in this region,” he said.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said that Raila’s supporters were better served by backing President Ruto.

“It's only President Ruto who has given this region development projects. The opposition will have a difficult task in removing Ruto. This Nyanza region also remains an ODM zone,” Mr Wandayi said.

Siaya Governor James Orengo, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka called on Raila’s supporters to follow the path they said he had championed by seeking to remove President Ruto from power in 2027.

“Raila taught us one thing: that leadership is not about power, titles or the names that we have, but the courage to defend justice. The spirit of Raila is with us,” Mr Owino said.

Mr Sifuna said political decisions should be guided by persuasion and the interests of ordinary citizens rather than force or intimidation.

“Politics is persuasion, not dictatorship like we are witnessing here. Going forward, I want to tell you I will not forget how Baba taught us that we should put the lives of our citizens first whenever we are making any decisions,” he said.

Mr Orengo said the opposition would unite behind a single candidate to challenge President Ruto in 2027, citing unemployment and other challenges facing Kenyans.

“We will unite until we send Ruto home. They are saying two-term, yet there is a high level of unemployment. This is the team that will form the next government,” he said.

Mr Musyoka said the opposition would work to complete Raila’s political journey to Canaan.

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