ODM Announces Death of Ex-Senator Otieno Kajwang's Wife

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has announced the death of Mama Rose Kajwang, a respected academic and the widow of the late Homa Bay Senator Gerald Otieno Kajwang.

In a statement released on Thursday evening through the party’s official X account, ODM confirmed that Mama Rose passed away earlier in the day after an illness. “We mourn the passing of Mama Rose Kajwang’, widow of the late Senator Gerald Otieno Kajwang’, earlier today after an illness,” the statement read. “As the Orange family, we commiserate with the entire Kajwang’ family and the people of Suba North for the loss. May Rose’s soul rest in peace.”

Mama Rose Kajwang was a prominent figure in academia, serving as a lecturer at Kenyatta University and chairing the university’s alumni association. She was widely recognised for her mentorship of women pursuing leadership and public service roles, earning respect within and beyond academic circles.

Her husband, Gerald Otieno Kajwang, was a key figure in Kenyan politics and a loyal member of ODM under the leadership of Raila Odinga. Rising to national prominence in the 1990s, he was elected Member of Parliament for Mbita Constituency in 2007 and later became Homa Bay’s first Senator in 2013. 

He was well known for his passionate speeches and the rallying slogan “Bado Mapambano,” which became a symbol of ODM’s grassroots movement. Kajwang died in 2014 at the age of 58. Following his death, his younger brother, Moses Otieno Kajwang, won the Homa Bay senatorial by-election in February 2015 and has since retained the seat, maintaining the family’s political presence both regionally and nationally.

The family is expected to release details of her funeral arrangements in due course.