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Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka paid a moving tribute to the late Raila Odinga, describing him as a courageous champion of justice, truth, and the fight against corruption. He vowed to continue advancing the principles that defined Raila’s political life.
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Speaking during the burial ceremony at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology on Sunday, Kalonzo said:
“I want to speak to my brother Raila. We called you Joshua, but we never made it to Canaan. As you always said, there were crocodiles in the River Jordan.”
He added that although Raila did not live to see the promised land, his vision would endure.
“My brother Raila, you saw the promised land from the mountaintop but didn’t reach Canaan. We will get there for you,” he said.
Kalonzo pledged to uphold Raila’s lifelong values — democracy, justice, and unity — saying, “I give you my word: the ideals you stood for, the tears shed over stolen elections, will not be in vain. Kenya must come together as one nation.”
Drawing from the funeral programme, he likened Raila’s struggle to the words of Martin Luther King Jr.:
“You have been to the mountaintop and seen the promised land. You may not get there with us, but we must reach it for you.”
Kalonzo, who served as Raila’s running mate in two presidential elections and stepped aside in 2022 for Martha Karua, was the only opposition leader to speak at the ceremony. Other attendees included Martha Karua, former Chief Justice David Maraga, ex-Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa.
In a separate message shared on social media, Kalonzo reflected on their friendship beyond politics.
“Raila valued friendship deeply. We were both devoted Arsenal fans and often watched matches together,” he wrote.
He praised Raila as a visionary who transformed Kenya’s political scene, saying his legacy would endure for generations.
Raila Odinga passed away on Wednesday, October 15, while receiving treatment in India.
