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President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday led the country in honouring the late Raila Odinga, describing him as a resilient visionary, a reconciler, and a patriot whose influence will endure for generations.
Speaking during the State Funeral Service at Nyayo Stadium, the two leaders reflected on their intertwined political journeys with the former Prime Minister — journeys marked by fierce rivalries, alliances, and reconciliations that repeatedly shaped Kenya’s political landscape.
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President Ruto delivered an emotional eulogy, recalling his long association with Raila, whom he fondly referred to as Baba.
“I have walked a long road with Baba,” he said. “We stood together in defining moments for our nation, later faced each other as rivals, and still found common ground to steady the country when it mattered most.”
Ruto praised Raila’s lifelong dedication to unity and peace, noting that even in the face of political tension, he always prioritized Kenya’s stability.
“Whenever our country needed reason, he became its voice; and when we needed reconciliation, he extended his hand without hesitation,” Ruto said.
The President added that history would judge Raila kindly for his courage, endurance, and unwavering belief in the greater good.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, visibly moved, described Raila’s death as a deeply personal loss.
“We are here not just to mourn a national leader, but to celebrate a brother and a friend,” he said.
Uhuru reflected on their years of political competition and their eventual unity through the 2018 handshake, calling it a turning point in Kenya’s history.
“Our journey was long and not without conflict,” he admitted. “But we chose the path of peace and partnership — the path of unity.”
He hailed Raila as a foundational figure in Kenya’s democracy. “You cannot write the history of democracy, human rights, or devolution in this country without Raila Odinga’s name appearing first,” Uhuru stated.
Both leaders commended Raila’s lifelong sacrifice, with Ruto noting that he “endured prison, exile, and persecution — not for power, but for principle.”
Uhuru urged Kenyans to uphold Raila’s ideals. “As we bid farewell to our father, let us vow never to allow democracy and human rights to be rolled back,” he said.
In a poetic tribute, President Ruto invoked Raila’s favourite song, Jamaica Farewell, saying, “Today those words ring true — our elder statesman sails home, not to Jamaica, but to a place beyond.”
Uhuru, reminiscing on their private conversations over tea, added with a bittersweet tone: “He has gone ahead of me, but I’m not in a hurry to join him.”
Closing the day’s tributes, Ruto posed a reflective question to the nation:
“When a great tree falls among us, we stand in awe of its vast shade and strength. And then we ask ourselves — from where shall another like him rise?”
