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‘A brother’s goodbye’: Uhuru Kenyatta’s warm farewell to Raila Odinga
What you need to know:
- The former president’s tribute was more than political courtesy; it was personal redemption.
- His voice carried the conviction of a man who knew the cost of political rivalry and the power of reconciliation.
When former President Uhuru Kenyatta rose to speak at Nyayo Stadium, the thousands gathered for Raila Odinga’s state funeral fell into a brief hush followed immediately by shouts of jubilation.
To the ardent supporters of the late Odinga, Mr Kenyatta was an ally, one who stood with their hero when he vied for the presidency in 2022.
As the country’s fourth President began his speech, the air was heavy with emotion, the weight of history pressing upon the nation. Before him lay the flag-draped casket of the man he once rivaled, later reconciled with, and ultimately called brother.
The body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi for the State funeral service on October 17, 2025.
“Asanteni sana. Mama Ida Odinga, Rosemary…” Uhuru began, his voice briefly swallowed by the crowd’s roar before he started again.
“Mama Ida, Rosemary, Winnie, Raila Junior, poleni sana,”
It was a simple, heartfelt greeting, but in it lay the tenderness of a man who had walked with Raila through the storm of Kenyan politics.
Family of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, led by his wife Mama Ida Odinga, daughters Rosemary Odinga and Winnie Odinga and son Raila Odinga Jr, at Nyayo National Stadium on October 17, 2025, for his state funeral.
When he called out, “My fellow mourners, hamjambo!” the crowd responded with a cheer that rippled through the stadium.
Then his tone softened.
“We are here as Kenyans to celebrate the life of our fellow Kenyan, a leader, my friend, and my brother Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga," he said.
For a moment, the former Head of State paused, searching for words to capture the life of a man whose name had defined Kenya’s struggle for democracy.
“He was known by many names, Agwambo, Jakom, Tinga, but to all of us, from every corner of the country, he was simply Baba,” he said.
He spoke of the late opposition chief not as a politician but as a patriot whose ideals transcended tribe and party.
The famous handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Harambee House, Nairobi in 2018.
“Raila loved Kenya more than anything else. He was a father to all, never a tribalist, and loved all Kenyans equally,” he said, recalling how Odinga’s home was always open to people from all walks of life.
The former president’s tribute was more than political courtesy; it was personal redemption.
“Kenya’s history cannot be written without Raila Odinga’s name among the first,” he said.
“The story of democracy, of devolution, of defending the rights of the ordinary citizen, all bear his signature.”
His voice carried the conviction of a man who knew the cost of political rivalry and the power of reconciliation.
“Raila has left us physically, but in our hearts and in the spirit of Kenya, he will continue to live eternally,” he said.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta arrives at Nyayo National Stadium for the State funeral of former Prime Minister Rail Odinga on October 17, 2025. He is received by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
Then came a moment of warmth that drew quiet laughter from the crowd. The former Head of State shared a private memory, how, in quieter times, the two sons of the nation’s founding fathers would sit over tea and porridge, talking about the great African leaders who came before them.
“We would ask each other, ‘What do you think Jaramogi, Jomo, Nkrumah, and Nyerere talk about in the other world?’” he recounted with a nostalgic smile.
“My brother, you have gone before me. I know you are already in their company, talking politics and watching over us,” he said.
His parting words were tender and resolute.
“Raila, go well, my brother. May God rest you in peace with our forefathers. Your family is now ours, and we shall stand with them.”
As he stepped down from the podium, the crowd rose to its feet in applause, not for a former president, but for a man mourning a brother. The warmth of his farewell cut through years of rivalry, leaving only the echo of love, respect, and a nation united in grief.
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