Ida Condemns Chaos at Raila Memorial, Calls for Respect Among Political Leaders

Ida Odinga has criticised the disruption of her husband Raila Odinga’s first death anniversary memorial in Bondo, calling on political leaders and their supporters to 

respect invited guests and uphold the values he stood for.

In a statement issued after the commemoration, Ida expressed disappointment that an event intended to honour the former Prime Minister had been overshadowed by hostility towards some attendees. She said there were concerns that individuals had been mobilised to disrupt the proceedings, undermining the purpose and dignity of the gathering.

Ida said some invited guests had faced jeers, intimidation and interruptions despite attending at the family’s invitation. She maintained that political differences should not be used to justify disrespect towards those who came to pay tribute to Raila.

She urged leaders to encourage tolerance and peaceful engagement among their supporters, noting that her late husband had spent much of his political life promoting dialogue and reconciliation.

Having shared more than five decades with Raila, Ida described him as a leader who maintained relationships with people across political divides. She said preserving his legacy required more than public tributes, arguing that Kenyans should also uphold the principles of mutual respect and democratic coexistence that he championed.

Her statement also defended the decision to invite leaders from different political camps to the memorial. Ida said the guest list reflected the wide range of relationships Raila had built throughout his years in public service and should not be interpreted as a statement about current political alliances.

She added that attending or missing the event should not be viewed as an endorsement or rejection of the family. The commemoration, she said, was intended to honour Raila’s life and legacy rather than serve the interests of any political faction.

Ida emphasised that Raila was not only a husband, father and family man but also a national figure whose influence extended beyond party politics and Kenya’s borders. She said attempts to turn his resting place into a site of political confrontation were contrary to the purpose of the memorial.

She also thanked the supporters who travelled to Bondo and those who helped organise the event. Her acknowledgements included religious leaders, volunteers, performers and members of the memorial steering committee.

Ida further recognised President William Ruto’s support for the construction and completion of Raila’s mausoleum, describing the contribution as important in preserving the former Prime Minister’s memory.

However, developments surrounding the Nairobi Senate race have highlighted the political challenges facing the Odinga family and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as the party prepares for the 2027 General Election.

At a separate event attended by Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, Raila Odinga Junior endorsed the legislator’s bid for the Nairobi Senate seat. The endorsement came days after his sister, Winnie Odinga, announced that she intended to contest the same position.

Junior reaffirmed his family’s commitment to ODM, saying their political home remained the party associated with their late father. He backed Jalang’o’s candidacy while calling on ODM to allow aspirants to compete for nominations instead of awarding candidates automatic tickets.

His position is significant because Junior has also expressed interest in contesting the Kibra parliamentary seat, a constituency closely associated with Raila’s political career. His support for competitive nominations suggests that he wants aspirants to secure party tickets through the established process rather than relying on family connections.

The endorsement has also raised questions about the political paths being pursued by Raila’s children. With Winnie seeking the Nairobi Senate seat and Junior supporting Jalang’o for the same position, their differing preferences have emerged as a notable feature of the race.