Kenya's Raila Odinga makes his remarks during the launch of his bid for the African Union Commission Chairmanship candidate at State House, Nairobi on August 27, 2024.
The decisions awaiting former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who was in India receiving treatment, were weighty, involving not only politics but also family issues.
For his elder brother, Oburu Odinga, a crucial meeting between the two brothers was to take place to resolve outstanding matters.
In an earlier interview with the Nation, Dr Oginga said he had scheduled a meeting with his younger brother to resolve pending family issues, fearing that they could tear the family apart if left unresolved.
According to Dr Oginga, they were due to meet in Dubai on October 19 to resolve these matters, but this never happened.
“I was telling him that there are a few things which are outstanding in the family, including the estate, which I had managed with him,” Dr Oginga said.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's body arrives at JKIA from India.
It is, however, National Assembly Minority Junet Mohamed who revealed details of the grand welcoming that was awaiting Odinga upon his landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.
Before his arrival date, which was scheduled for October 23, 2025, Mr Mohamed said he was also to meet Odinga in Dubai for a full brief on the political happenings at home before the grand welcome party.
“I did not accompany him (Raila) to India because we had planned to meet on Thursday in Dubai and then relax up to Wednesday October 22, 2025 last week before making a grand homecoming on Thursday of October 23, 2025,” Mr Mohamed told the Nation.
Mr Mohamed revealed that they had planned to link up with Odinga in Dubai on Thursday, October 16, 2025, upon completion of his treatment in India, but this never happened as Raila did not live to see the day.
The former Prime Minister died on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in India, where he was receiving treatment and instead of meeting Mr Mohammed on Thursday as earlier planned, it was the casket carrying his remains that landed back home at the JKIA at 9:30 am, accompanied by various government officials.
“We had planned everything. We were to discuss our 2027 ODM party issues, I was also to brief him on parliamentary issues in my capacity as the minority leader and also discuss national politics and the ODM @20 event plans,” Mr Mohammed said.
Suna East MP Junet Mohammed.
The Suna East lawmaker, a close ally and confidant of Odinga, acknowledged that it was the former ODM leader that thrusted him into the deep sea of national politics when he made him the mayor for Migori at only 25 years and later as Minority leader in the National Assembly.
Mr Mohammed, who on many occasions has been accused of misleading Raila in major political decisions, says he has lost a friend who involved him in almost everything in his life.
“Mzee, could not plan anything without involving me. He would always call and ask me to meet him at various places where we would discuss many things from business to politics. Many people just saw Baba doing some things, they didn’t know the people he consulted in the background,” Mr Mohamed said.
“After discussing some things, especially politics, he would tell me, ‘now go and execute should you encounter any problem, let me know’,” recalled Mr Mohammed.
Mr Mohammed said, although he cannot question God’s plan on why he chose Raila before their meeting in Dubai, he will soldier on, leaning on the ideals he learnt from his political mentor.
“In everything, we are told to give thanks, although it is difficult that he is no longer with us but he left us with direction that we need to just to follow,” Mr Mohammed said.
Winnie Odinga places the trademark headgear, synonymous with the style of the former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, on his casket. His body is expected to arrive at JKIA from India at 9:30 am.
In Parliament, Mr Mohammed said there is no need to worry as he will lead Raila's troops and play his role as the minority leader.
“As the minority leader, I will lead a united team to play our role as we were always reminded by our departed leader. At this time, the most important thing is achieving unity for purpose in the House which I will ensure is done,” Mr Mohammed said.
On the intrigues in the ODM Party, Mr Mohamed assured their supporters that there is no need to worry, as there are proper structures in place that guide everything that the party is supposed to do.
“Mzee left us with structures in the party. That is what we will follow, so there is no cause for alarm that the party will disintegrate. There are however those who just talk and they don’t even know what Raila really wanted,” Mr Mohammed said.
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