Cord leader Raila Odinga and some ODM leaders join musician Onyi Papa Jay on stage during the second day of Luo Cultural Festival at Homa Bay High School on December 20, 2016.
In Kenya's vibrant political landscape, music has long been more than entertainment—it's a powerful tool for expressing loyalty, mobilising supporters, and shaping public opinion. Few political figures inspired as much musical tribute as Raila Odinga, the veteran opposition leader who served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 and passed away on October 15, 2025, at age 80.
Cord leader Raila Odinga and his supporters join musician Emma Jalamo (with the mic) during the 2nd edition of Luo Festival at the Carnivore, Nairobi on July 9, 2016.
From benga rhythms to contemporary gospel, from Luo traditional melodies to urban hip-hop, artists across generations composed songs celebrating "Baba", as his supporters affectionately called him. Whether performed at campaign rallies, played on radio stations, or shared virally on social media, these songs became anthems of a movement.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga dances with other party leaders in Funyula, Busia County on February 28, 2025 as they celebrated the party's 20-year journey.
Among the first to sing his praise were D.O. Misiani and Osito Kale. They were followed by Musa Juma, whose “Raila Amolo Odinga” highlighted his leadership qualities, and Tony Nyadundo's “Raila Igala Gala” (meaning "you are mysterious"), celebrating his vision. Onyi Papa Jey released "ODM 2007" as a campaign theme honouring a man who had endured and risen again, later following up with "Baba the 5th" in 2022.
Ohangla artistes like Emma Jalamo, Prince Indah, and the late Abenny Jachiga continued the tradition, while choirs such as Jeshi la Baba transformed political messages into harmonies that felt more like worship than campaign music. Lady Maureen's “Raila Duogie Dala” (Raila, come back home) expressed the Luo community's longing for his leadership.
Azimio Leader Raila Odinga joins in a dance during the 30th memorial anniversary of Kenya's first Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga at Ofafa Memorial Hall in Kisumu on January 20, 2024.
By the 2020s, Raila's influence had reached streaming platforms. His speeches became remixes, and younger audiences engaged with phrases like “Tibim” on TikTok. In 2022, Bahati released "Fire", featuring Raila himself—a track that trended across social media and matatus, proving that "Baba" could bridge traditional and modern music scenes.
Cord leader Raila Odinga and some ODM leaders join musician Onyi Papa Jay on stage during the second day of Luo Cultural Festival at Homa Bay High School on December 20, 2016.
From Omondi Tony and Onyi Jalamo to Prince Davida and Jackson Mutinda, musicians praised his resilience, vision, and fight for Kenya—creating a soundtrack of history that outlives the man himself.
