Raila Odinga spent much of his formative years in Kisumu County, where the roots of his remarkable journey took hold.
He was born on January 7, 1945, at ACK Maseno Mission Hospital to the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Mary Juma Odinga. At the time, his father, Jaramogi, was a teacher at Maseno School.
In 1947, the family relocated to Kaloleni Estate in Kisumu after Jaramogi left the teaching profession to pursue politics. The estate, then a bastion of the emerging political elite, was home to the likes of Achieng Oneko and Ohanga Jagem, among other senior politicians of the time.
Today, however, the once-prestigious Kaloleni Estate bears little resemblance to its former glory. The neighbourhood has deteriorated into a slum, with most houses now semi-permanent structures roofed with rusting aluminum sheets.
The house where the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga spent part of his childhood, pictured on October 16, 2025, fondly referred to by locals around as “Kapenguria Six,” stands as a quiet reminder of his humble beginnings in Kaloleni, Kisumu.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo| Nation Media Group
Ker Odungi Randa of the Luo Council of Elders, who first met Odinga when he was just five years old, recalls the family’s life in the closely knit estate. He speaks with reverence of the house that would later gain significance due to the presence of both father and son, two titans of Kenya’s political history.
"In fact, the house where Jaramogi lived with his family still stands to this day. Young Raila would often be seen playing football with other children in the estate," recounted Mr Randa.
Standing from Left: Oburu Oginga with his brothers Raila Odinga and Agola Seated: Their uncle Wilson Ating’a
Photo credit: Photo | Nation
He added, "He attended Reuben Komulo Primary School, which was later renamed Kisumu Union Primary School. From there, he went on to Maranda Primary School and eventually Maranda Secondary School."
At Kisumu Union Primary School, now over a century old, a somber mood prevailed as learners and teachers joined the nation in mourning the passing of one of their most illustrious alumni.
“We are saddened, especially because we had plans to reach out to Odinga for support in resolving ongoing land disputes affecting the school. Unfortunately, it’s now too late,” she lamented.
Former Kaloleni Councilor Mohammed Sultan Chamgiwadu remembered the Odinga family home as being directly opposite Central SDA Church in Kaloleni. He recalled family stories passed down to him, including how his grandmother, Fatuma Osodo, a trader in the estate, sold porridge to the Odingas.
Mr Chamgiwadu also reminisced about a surprise visit by the late Prime Minister during Labour Day celebrations in 2009.
"That day, we had a meeting at the ODM office in Kisumu. Afterward, he expressed a desire to visit the house where he had grown up. He took us around, pointing out the rooms where they slept - the boys’ room, his parents’ quarters, even the toilets they used. It was a deeply moving moment," he said.
Kenya's former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. He passed away on October 15, 2025
Photo credit: File | Nation
While a crowd gathered outside to catch a glimpse of the national figure, Mr Odinga took the opportunity to speak to Kaloleni residents, reminiscing about his childhood in the estate.
Mr Chamgiwadu noted that the former Prime Minister’s fluency in Kiswahili was partly shaped by his upbringing among Swahili-speaking neighbours.
“A lot of the Kiswahili he spoke, he learned while living in Kaloleni,” he said.
Maalim Issa, who also grew up in the estate, recalled the young Odinga as a cheerful and spirited boy who loved football.
"We knew him as 'kijana wa mtaa’ - a local boy who mingled with everyone. They would often drink water at the nearby Masjid Noor Mosque before continuing with their games," said Mr Issa.
In later years, Jaramogi moved his family to a house built near Ofafa Memorial Hall, marking a new chapter in their journey. But for many in Kaloleni, the memory of the boy who would one day become Prime Minister remains vivid - a reminder that greatness often springs from the humblest of beginnings.
