Mama Ida Odinga this week took a short break from receiving mourners at Opoda Farm, a role she has maintained since former Premier Raila Odinga passed away on October 15.
For weeks, she has been welcoming visitors who have come to pay their respects.
The mourning period began immediately after news of Odinga’s death broke. Ida’s Nairobi home in Karen became a centre for guests, including high-profile dignitaries and supporters of the Odinga legacy.
Former president Uhuru Kenyatta and his entourage at Kang'o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo on October 20, 2025
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
When the former Premier was laid to rest on October 19 in a funeral service attended by the President and other dignitaries, the family anticipated that daily life would resume shortly thereafter.
According to Luo customs, chieng’ mar ang’wen , the fourth day after burial, marks the formal end of the mourning period.
The Odinga family observed the traditional rites on that day, allowing daughters married elsewhere to return home and sons present during mourning to rejoin their families.
At Opoda, however, visitors continued arriving daily from various sectors, often bringing gifts including food, domestic animals, and tree seedlings.
While the family continued to receive mourners, the volume of visitors prompted Mama Ida to take a brief rest.
On Sunday, November 9, she flew to Nairobi for a short break, her first since the mourning period began.
Mama Ida Odinga receives a diary cow from former Governor of Murang’a County Mwangi wa Iria (left) at her home in Opoda Farm in Bondo, Siaya County on November 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
“Mama took a break for at least a week before returning towards the end of this week,” said Emily Oginga, her sister-in-law and Odinga’s step-sister.
In her absence, other family members, including Emily and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s two surviving widows, Betty and Susan, have continued to receive visitors at Kang’o ka Jaramogi, near Odinga’s resting place.
Earlier visits included a delegation from the Wiper Democratic Front Party and Ukambani led by Kalonzo Musyoka, which brought 100 cows, followed by Nairobi County Assembly members and a group from Suna West led by MP Peter Masara.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka at Raila Odinga's gravesite in Kang'o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County on November 6, 2025.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Later visitors, including thousands of Gor Mahia football club fans, went directly to the gravesite.
Mr Albert Ojonyo and Elijah Raila, relatives of Odinga and part of the committee organising activities at Opoda, advised visitors to go to Kang’o rather than Ida’s home during her absence.
“For now, mourners are advised to visit the gravesite to pay respects to Odinga,” said Ojonyo.
Elijah noted that Ida would continue receiving guests next week and, while in Nairobi, she still meets visitors, albeit in smaller numbers.
Gor Mahia fans at the gravesite of the club patron and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Kang'o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County on November 11, 2025.
Photo credit: Pool
Mama Ida is expected back at Opoda this weekend, though it is not yet confirmed whether she will attend the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) 20th anniversary celebrations in Mombasa, which run from Thursday to Sunday.
The celebrations include the party founders’ dinner, where President William Ruto will be the chief guest. This year’s milestone marks the first anniversary of Odinga’s passing, making it both a party and national commemoration.
Trips to the gravesite continue, with visitors attending individually or in groups.
