Raila Odinga to Be Laid to Rest Beside His Father at Historic Kang’o ka Jaramogi

Raila Amolo Odinga will be buried at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County, beside the grave of his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

Kang’o ka Jaramogi is a landmark in Kenya’s political history. It is the burial site of Jaramogi, Kenya’s first Vice-President and a leading figure in the independence movement, who died in 1994. It is also where Raila’s eldest son, Fidel Odinga, was laid to rest in 2015.

The homestead sits on a quiet slope overlooking Lake Victoria and includes the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum, a national monument managed by the National Museums of Kenya. A narrow road from the main Bondo–Usenge highway leads to the mausoleum, which is marked by cream-coloured walls, a high roof and well-kept gardens.

Lion sculptures stand at the entrance, symbolising the family’s history of political resilience. Inside, galleries display photographs, political memorabilia and cultural artefacts that trace the Odinga family’s role in Kenya’s political development.
Among the most notable exhibits are traditional spears, shields and sacred objects linked to Jaramogi’s position as Ker (custodian of Luo heritage). These displays highlight values of leadership, courage and cultural identity, making the site both a historical archive and a cultural institution.

A Legacy Forged in Struggle

Raila Odinga’s political journey reflects many aspects of his father’s path. Born in 1945 at Kang’o ka Jaramogi, he was raised in a family deeply involved in national politics. Over his long career, he spent years in detention, campaigned for multiparty democracy, and contested five presidential elections, remaining a central figure in Kenya’s political life.

“Both father and son paid heavy personal prices for their convictions,” veteran journalist Kenneth Ogosia said. “They became national symbols of opposition and persistence.”

Their graves will now stand side by side, a father who helped open the country’s democratic space and a son who dedicated his life to protecting it.

Kang’o ka Jaramogi as a National Shrine

The site serves both as a family burial ground and a national symbol of political struggle. It contains the family home, gardens, a chapel and several memorial spaces. Every year, relatives, political leaders and supporters gather there to mark anniversaries and reflect on the Odingas’ role in Kenya’s history.

Local leaders and community elders view Raila’s burial at the site as a moment of continuity. “It is a symbolic passing of the torch,” said Mzee Olang’o Nyabola. “The father began the fight for liberation, and the son carried it forward.”

Plans to Modernise the Monument

The mausoleum’s historical significance has prompted both the national and county governments to plan upgrades. The Ministry of Tourism and the National Museums of Kenya, in partnership with the Siaya County Government, have outlined plans for expanded galleries, digital archives, a governance research centre and an amphitheatre for civic education.

“This place is sacred,” Siaya Governor James Orengo said. “It represents the foundation of Kenya’s political evolution. We must protect it not just for the Odinga family, but for the country.”

The site already attracts researchers, students and visitors from across Kenya and abroad. Visitor numbers increased significantly after a 2018 visit by then-President Uhuru Kenyatta, who praised Jaramogi for his principled leadership. The planned improvements aim to make Kang’o ka Jaramogi a leading centre for heritage and democracy education.

The End of an Era

The burial of Raila Odinga marks the close of a defining chapter in Kenya’s political story. His marble tomb will stand next to that of Jaramogi, linking two generations of leadership that have shaped the country’s democratic journey.

Kang’o ka Jaramogi is expected to remain a focal point for visitors seeking to understand Kenya’s political past and the legacy of a family that influenced it for decades.