Raila: End Of An Era
Today, Sunday 19 October 2025, Kenya marks the final interment of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga popularly known as “Baba” at his family home in Bondo, Siaya County. Odinga passed away earlier this week in India at age 80. His passing triggered a national outpouring of grief, broad reflection on his legacy and the arrangement of a multi‑day state funeral culminating in today’s burial.
Following his death, the nation entered a period of official mourning. His body arrived in Kenya on Thursday, where it lay in state for public viewing. On Friday, a state funeral was held at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, attended by thousands of mourners, including heads of state, diplomats and citizens from all walks of life. The ceremonies continued on Saturday with a public viewing in Kisumu before the body was transported to his rural home in Bondo for final rites.
Raila Odinga’s life was marked by resilience, sacrifice and an unwavering commitment to democratic principles. He was detained several times during the single-party era for his political activism and despite contesting the presidency five times, he never ascended to the office. Nonetheless, his influence on Kenya’s governance from constitutional reforms to national reconciliation efforts is widely recognized.
His supporters affectionately called him “Baba,” a title reflecting the trust and admiration he commanded. Yet, like many political giants, his career was not without controversy. Opinions remain divided over certain political decisions and alliances he made throughout the years. However, today’s burial reflects a moment of unity, with Kenyans from across the political spectrum coming together to honor a man whose public service spanned over four decades.
As the nation bids farewell, questions arise about the future of opposition politics in Kenya, a space Odinga dominated for years. His absence leaves a significant void and attention will now shift to how the next generation of leaders will carry forward the values he championed.
Today’s interment of Raila Odinga marked a moment not merely of personal farewell but of national reflection: the end of a long era of one of Kenya’s most visible political figures. His final rites were conducted with protocol, tradition and large public participation and now the country moves into a phase of transition.
