The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Ida Odinga has spoken of the pain of losing her husband, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, saying she released him to Kenyans alive to pursue politics and defend their interests, only to receive him back in a coffin.
Ida was speaking on Thursday at Migwena Grounds in Bondo during the first anniversary of Raila’s death. She recalled the Azimio la Umoja convention at Kasarani Stadium on December 10, 2021, where she publicly handed her husband over to continue his political work.
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“On the 10th December 2021, during an Azimio la Umoja convention at Kasarani, I released Jakom to the public. Those who were there, or those who heard, I told you, I release him to you to go and do his politics and protect the people of Kenya,” she said.
She said she had also urged the crowd to look after Raila, who had spent decades at the centre of Kenya’s political struggles. “But I also told the crowd that please take care of him today. I’m sorry to report that I gave him to you alive, but you gave me him back to me in a coffin,” she said.
Her words reflected the family’s grief a year after his death, as relatives, political allies and supporters gathered in Bondo to honour his life and legacy.
Ida also described the difficult year the family has endured, revealing that they suffered another loss just 40 days after Raila died. She said the death of Beryl Achieng, a member of the family, deepened their sorrow and made it harder to cope.
“This past year has not been very easy for us, the family of Raila Odinga. The year had hardly started. Soon after Raila passed on, 40 days after Raila passed on, we lost another member of the family, called Beryl Achieng,” she said.
She said the two deaths in such quick succession had been overwhelming and had limited the family’s public engagement in the way some supporters expected. “These two losses, within a period of 40 days, was too much for the family, and that is why, if you see the family is not excited the way some of you are excited, you should know it has been very heavy in our heart,” she said.
Ida added that the family had struggled to connect with the public amid the grief and may not have carried out some activities people expected of them.
She said the anniversary was also a moment to remember Achieng.
“So today, as we gather here to remember Raila, our hearts are also remembering Achieng. We miss her love. We miss her very much, but we also pray that may the good Lord keep her soul in eternal peace,” she said.
The gathering brought mourners together to reflect on Raila’s political journey. Several leaders from the Linda Mwananchi camp were also in attendance.
