Western Kenya has been plunged into deep mourning following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga. In the heart of the region, the Luhya community is grieving a man many considered not just a national figure but a brother who shared in their struggles, heritage, and hopes for a united Kenya.
Across counties such as Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga, and Busia, flags fly at half-mast, church services are being held, and conversations in markets and homes revolve around the loss of a man who left an indelible mark on Kenya’s political and cultural landscape.
‘A towering figure of democracy’
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who visited Kasarani Stadium to view the body of the late premier, mourned him as “a towering statesman, a gallant fighter for democracy, and a son of Kenya whose life was defined by courage, conviction, and an unyielding love for his country, Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga.”
Reflecting on their long political journey, Mudavadi said, “I have walked a long and eventful path alongside Raila, sometimes as an ally, sometimes from opposing political sides, but always with deep mutual respect and a shared commitment to the ideals of a free, just, and prosperous Kenya. We worked together in government and in opposition, through moments of national triumph and times of great trial. Through it all, his resilience, political acumen, and unwavering belief in the power of the people remained constant.”
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula also paid tribute, describing Odinga as “Kenya’s father of democracy and the embodiment of courage, resilience, and vision.”
“From the struggle for multiparty democracy to the fight for Kenya’s Second Liberation, Raila Odinga stood tall, often at great personal cost, so that freedom, justice, and equality could take root in our land,” Wetang’ula said.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who visited the former Prime Minister’s home in Karen to pen his final message, honored him as “a man whose life and struggle defined the soul of our nation.”
“For decades, Baba stood as a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and hope, a beacon that guided our democracy through storms of injustice and moments of uncertainty. His love for Kenya, his resilience, and his relentless fight for equality and unity will forever remain etched in our national memory,” Natembeya wrote on social media.
A brother beyond ethnic boundaries
Nabongo Mumia II, the king of the Wanga community, described Raila as “a true friend of the Luhya people and a defender of cultural heritage.” The monarch recalled how Raila had expressed interest in supporting the revival of the Nabongo Cultural Centre and promoting traditional governance systems as part of Kenya’s identity.
“Raila was not just a politician; he was a statesman who respected all communities. He walked with us and stood for what unites us as a nation,” the Nabongo said, urging Kenyans to honor his memory through peace and unity.
Bulls for baba: A cultural gesture of honor
In a symbolic show of respect, Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has called on the Luhya community to deliver bulls to Raila’s rural home in Bondo, Siaya County, a gesture deeply rooted in Luhya tradition. The act, he said, would be a way of honoring a man who himself had once gifted five bulls during the funeral of the late Vice President Michael Kijana Wamalwa in Kitale.
“You could differ with the Enigma politically, but when it came to humanity, Baba stood unmatched,” Salasya said. “It’s time we returned that gesture to show our respect.”
A region in reflection
From Bungoma to Butere, gatherings are being held in schools, churches, and village centers as leaders and citizens reflect on Raila’s legacy. Political activities have been temporarily suspended in several areas, with local leaders urging residents to mourn with dignity.
In Mumias, several churches held prayer vigils where congregants lit candles and sang freedom songs that once echoed during Raila’s reform campaigns. Others shared stories of his visits to Western Kenya, where he often spoke about the region’s potential in agriculture and industrialization.
A call for unity
Nabongo Mumia II and other cultural leaders have appealed to the Luhya people to use this mourning period to foster unity and national cohesion rather than political rivalry.
“Raila believed that culture is the soul of a nation,” the Nabongo noted. “Let us mourn him not with bitterness but with a renewed commitment to his dream of a just, united, and democratic Kenya.”
A nation in mourning
President William Ruto has declared seven days of national mourning and ordered that flags fly at half-mast in honor of the former Prime Minister. Raila will be accorded a state funeral on Friday, with the government having organized a public viewing at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday before his burial in Bondo on Sunday.
In Western Kenya, the national mourning has taken on a deeply personal tone. Raila’s influence in the region, from his political alliances to his advocacy for devolution, has left an enduring bond that transcends party politics.
As the nation prepares to bid farewell to one of its most iconic leaders, the Luhya community’s mourning stands out as both a cultural and emotional tribute, a testament that Raila Odinga’s legacy of unity, courage, and cultural respect lives on beyond the borders of his birthplace.
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