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20 October 2025

Kenya Honors Raila Odinga With State Funeral Salute

Thousands gather in Bondo as tributes pour in for the late opposition leader after a week marked by grief, unity, and political reflection.

On a somber Sunday in Bondo, on the shores of Lake Victoria, Kenya bid farewell to one of its most influential political figures of the past half-century. Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, affectionately known as "Baba"—the Swahili word for father—was laid to rest at his rural home, bringing to a close a week marked by national mourning, political reflection, and a palpable sense of loss that swept across the country and far beyond its borders.

The funeral, held on October 19, 2025, drew thousands of mourners, relatives, and dignitaries from across Africa and the world. The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) grounds in Bondo became the epicenter of grief and remembrance, as crowds gathered to pay their final respects to a leader whose life had been defined by both personal sacrifice and public service. According to Reuters, the Anglican service and burial unfolded without major incident, a notable contrast to the tumultuous week prior, which had seen at least five people killed and hundreds injured during surging crowds eager to see Odinga’s body for the last time.

Odinga, who died on October 15, 2025, at the age of 80 while receiving medical treatment in India, was accorded full military honors. As reported by Capital FM and AP, the ceremony included a 17-gun salute by the Kenya Defence Forces and a Kenya Air Force fly-past—a rare tribute reserved for the country’s most esteemed statesmen. His casket, draped in the Kenyan flag, stood under a marquee as the nation’s leaders, family members, and ordinary citizens reflected on the legacy of a man whose journey intertwined with Kenya’s own turbulent history.

“Now finally Baba is home,” said his son and namesake, Raila Junior, capturing the bittersweet relief and sorrow of a nation coming to terms with the loss. The final interment took place beside his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president and a towering figure in the country’s struggle for independence. This symbolic resting place underscored the generational impact of the Odinga family on Kenya’s political evolution.

Odinga’s widow, Ida Odinga, spoke movingly at the funeral, describing former President Uhuru Kenyatta as a true friend to her husband during his lifetime, according to Capital FM. Her words echoed the sentiments of unity and reconciliation that permeated the day, as political rivals and allies alike gathered to honor a man who, despite never achieving the presidency in his five attempts, left an indelible mark on the nation’s conscience.

The week leading up to the burial was fraught with emotion and, tragically, violence. As reported by AP and Reuters, four public viewing events held in Nairobi and Kisumu attracted massive crowds, with stampedes resulting in five deaths and hundreds of injuries. On Thursday, the first public viewing in Nairobi turned deadly when officers opened fire to disperse crowds that breached a stadium gate. The following days saw further casualties as mourners pressed in for a final glimpse of their beloved leader. Despite these tragedies, the funeral service itself proceeded peacefully, a testament to the organizers’ determination to honor Odinga’s legacy with dignity.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were current Kenyan President William Ruto, former presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, and a host of African leaders. President Ruto, who had signed a political pact with Odinga earlier in 2025 after months of anti-government protests, pledged to support Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party and honor their agreement. “I am very proud today that Raila Amolo Odinga is being rested when one of his own students—a man he has mentored—is today the president of Kenya,” Ruto remarked, as quoted by AP. He credited Odinga with helping to steady the country after political unrest earlier in the year, which saw young Kenyans storm and burn parts of parliament buildings.

The funeral also brought to light divisions within Odinga’s ODM party. Some officials insisted they would honor the pact with the government, while others expressed caution, recalling the tear gas and violence that had marked previous opposition protests. This internal debate underscored the uncertainty facing Kenya’s political landscape as the country looks ahead to the 2027 elections. Leaders at the burial called for unity within the ODM and urged the party either to form or join the next government, reflecting the shifting alliances that have long characterized Kenyan politics.

Odinga’s influence, however, extended well beyond Kenya’s borders. Former African Union Deputy Chairperson Erastus Mwencha described him as “one of those who fought for the second liberation,” emphasizing his role as a continental mediator and democracy champion. Odinga had previously mediated political impasses across Africa and, although unsuccessful in his bid for the African Union chairperson position, was widely respected for his statesmanship. As AP noted, dozens of world leaders paid tribute to him in the days following his death.

Perhaps the most poignant international tribute came from former U.S. President Barack Obama, who praised Odinga as a "champion of peace who placed his country's interests ahead of personal ambitions." In a message shared on social media, Obama wrote, "Like few other leaders anywhere, he was willing to choose the path of peaceful reconciliation without compromising his core values." This sentiment echoed the views of many Kenyans, who saw in Odinga a leader willing to cross the aisle and broker peace even at personal cost.

Odinga’s political career was nothing if not eventful. Known primarily as an opposition figure, he served as Kenya’s prime minister from 2008 to 2013, a period marked by the country’s historic constitutional review in 2010—a process in which he played a critical role. He was once imprisoned for treason, a testament to his willingness to challenge authority, and he ran unsuccessfully for the presidency five times. Yet, as Reuters reported, he was also a master of political pacts, forging alliances with three of Kenya’s five presidents when the nation’s stability was at stake.

As the funeral service drew to a close and the military band played its final notes, the sense of loss was palpable. Kenya Airways pilots and crew had earlier paid their own heartfelt tributes during the emotional journey home, according to Capital FM. Winnie Odinga, Raila’s daughter, delivered a moving tribute and declared her readiness to return home, a gesture that resonated deeply with those present.

Odinga is survived by his wife Ida and children Rosemary, Raila Junior, and Winnie. As the sun set over Bondo, the nation reflected not only on the passing of a political giant but on the enduring legacy of a man who, despite never reaching the presidency, shaped the course of Kenyan history and inspired millions across Africa. The coming days will test the unity of his party and the resilience of the country he loved, but for now, Kenya stands together in mourning—and in gratitude—for the life of Raila Odinga.