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Let’s mourn Raila in peace, Ida Odinga’s emotional appeal ahead of burial
Mama Ida Odinga speaks to the media at her home in Opoda farm in Bondo, Siaya County on October 18, 2025.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s widow, Ida, on Saturday received his remains at the Opoda farm in Bondo, Siaya County in an emotionally charged moment.
Amid the rising emotions by the locals who poured into the home, Ms Odinga appealed to the youth to mourn the fallen hero with decorum following chaos that have been witnessed during the public viewing of the Baba’s body in Nairobi and Kisumu counties.
During the past few days, the mammoth crowds that have characterised the final send-off of Mr Odinga has led to stampedes, with a total of six people reported dead and dozens injured.
Raila Odinga Junior waves a flywhisk during the public viewing of his late father, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu on October 18, 2025.
Ida said that Mr Odinga was loved by his people, family, community, party members, Africa and many parts of the world who have sent condolence messages.
She pleaded with Mr Odinga’s supporters to observe decorum as they see off the enigma.
“I want to appeal to our people that we must mourn Raila in peace. It is a solemn occasion, not an occasion of confusion. Things work better if we do it in a solemn manner,” said Ida.
There were reports that some politicians were mobilising some youth to disrupt the funeral.
She stated that she has attended many funerals of prominent personalities in the continent, including Nelson Mandela’s, Winnie Mandela’s, President John Magufuli’s in Tanzania, and they were peaceful.
There were concerns that there would be a logistical nightmare transporting the body via road from Kisumu to Bondo, and the programme was changed at the eleventh hour with the body being airlifting instead.
Ida pleaded with mourners to avoid chaos during the funeral on Sunday.
The body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, Kisumu on October 18, 2025 during the public viewing.
“All of us have lost our leader. I have lost my husband; my children have lost their father while people have lost their brother. We have people from other countries around the world here and what we would want them to see is people mourning and not showing actions that may threaten the security of our guests or depict us as useless people,” she said.
Ida called for calm and peace even as they mourn the traditional way so that they do not embarrass themselves in front of guests. “We are all very important and equal but God is for all, so let us have peace as we mourn Raila,” she said.
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