In a poignant moment before mourners at Nyayo National Stadium, Mama Ida Odinga, widow of the late Raila Amolo Odinga, delivered a stirring tribute that painted her husband not only as a national icon but as a life partner with whom she journeyed for over five decades. Her words brought tears, reflection, and applause as she spoke openly about their marriage, shared dreams, and the values Raila held dear.
Mama Ida recalled meeting Raila in the early 1970s and marrying him in 1973, a bond that lasted 52 years. “Many of the people in this stadium could easily be our children; no wonder you call him Baba,” she said, addressing the crowd. Throughout the years, she stood by him through detentions, political storms, and public life, describing their partnership as one that “stood the test of time.”
She delved into how they named their four children, each inspired by leaders and ideals they both admired. Their first son, Fidel Castro Odhiambo Odinga, had a name that initially made her hesitant, but Raila’s admiration for the revolutionary convinced her. Their daughter, Rosemary, combined the names Rose (Mama Ida’s mother) and Mary (Raila’s mother). The third child, Raila Oginga Odinga Junior, was named after his cousin and Raila’s close friend. For their fourth child, Mama Ida recalled seeing images of Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela on television while in a hostel; her choice depended on the child’s gender. “If it’s a boy, it would be Nelson; if it’s a girl, it would be Winnie,” she said.
In her eulogy, Mama Ida also shared Raila’s core beliefs—his disdain for corruption, greed, and division. Even in grief, she urged Kenyans not to carry generational grudges: “Please don’t carry grudges from one generation to another … we must learn to forgive easily.” She spoke of their life’s ups and downs, acknowledging both strengths and weaknesses in their union. They learned to speak truth to each other, to forgive, and to move on.
Mama Ida’s tribute was more than personal; it carried a national tone. As she addressed the people present, she reiterated Raila’s clarion call for peace and unity across Kenya. She reminded the crowd that in their union they had faced political upheaval, but their personal code had always centered on dignity, faith, and hope.
Her voice trembled as she closed, but her spirit was steady: “He died, but his legacy lives. His message is ours now to carry forward.” The audience answered with applause, many rising from their seats in recognition of a love that mirrored the values Raila fought for—steadfastness, loyalty, and service to the people.
Mama Ida’s words gave a human face to a public man. Amid flags, chants, and speeches, her tribute stood as a reminder that behind every leader is a life lived in the silence of home, a companion whose love is often unseen but never unnoticed. In that moment, the stadium wasn’t just mourning a statesman—it was honoring a husband, a father, and a shared story of devotion.
Image by ka-news
