Africa Bids Farewell to Raila Odinga: A Legacy of Struggle, Sacrifice and Statesmanship

The Post On Sunday

Nairobi — The African continent stood still this week as Kenya bid farewell to one of its most enduring political icons, Raila Amolo Odinga, a man whose name became synonymous with resistance, reform, and relentless pursuit of democracy. From the dusty streets of Kisumu to the grandstands of Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, thousands gathered to honour a leader whose influence extended far beyond Kenya’s borders, touching the hearts of many across Africa who have lived under the shadow of dictatorship and unfulfilled freedom.

As the morning sun broke through the mist over the capital, a sea of mourners, waving branches, a traditional symbol of grief, and wearing T-shirts bearing Odinga’s image, filled the stadium. Emotions ran high as the coffin of the former prime minister, draped in the Kenyan flag, was carried in a ceremonial military procession. Songs of struggle echoed through the arena, with chants of “Raila usilale, bado mapambano” , “Raila, don’t sleep, the struggle is not over”, reverberating like a call to continue the unfinished work of democracy.

President William Ruto, once Odinga’s fiercest rival, delivered a eulogy that acknowledged the enormity of the man’s contribution. “Every once in a generation, there comes a leader whose impact transcends their moment,” Ruto said. “Raila Odinga was one such man.”

Odinga’s political journey was one of courage, resilience, and sacrifice. He spent years in detention during the single-party era of Daniel arap Moi’s regime, enduring torture and isolation for daring to dream of a freer Kenya. His life mirrored that of other African opposition figures, among them the late Morgan Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe, who faced intimidation, imprisonment, and vilification at the hands of authoritarian governments but refused to surrender their belief in people’s power.

Like Tsvangirai, Odinga never attained the presidency despite multiple attempts. Yet, both men stood as moral compasses in nations struggling to reconcile power with justice. Their stories represent the common African narrative, where reformers rise not to rule, but to remind those in power that democracy must serve the people, not enslave them.

Odinga’s daughter, Winnie, speaking with both pride and sorrow, captured her father’s ethos perfectly: “I learned from him that love for country is not just in words; it is in sacrifice. That justice must be pursued even when the path is lonely. True leadership is service, not power.”

As the crowd wept and sang Odinga’s favourite reggae tune, Jamaican Farewell, led by President Ruto himself, his widow Ida called for unity and peace. “Raila hated dishonesty. He hated greed, the greed that has destroyed the fabric of our society,” she said, urging Kenyans to honour his memory through integrity and service.

Among the dignitaries present were leaders from Somalia and Ethiopia, symbolizing Odinga’s regional stature as a voice for African integration and democracy. His friendships and solidarity extended beyond borders, from Zimbabwe, where he once stood in solidarity with the late Tsvangirai during the violent elections of 2008, to South Africa, where he admired Nelson Mandela’s spirit of reconciliation. To many across the continent, Odinga was not just a Kenyan statesman; he was part of a larger African struggle for freedom, dignity, and accountable governance.

The funeral, however, was not without tragedy. At least two mourners lost their lives in a stampede as crowds surged forward to view Odinga’s body. Médecins Sans Frontières reported treating over a hundred injured, yet the spirit of calm and dignity returned as the ceremony proceeded, a reflection of Odinga’s own resilience in adversity.

Earlier, violence had erupted when police clashed with supporters escorting his body from the airport, a grim reminder that even in mourning, Kenya’s political divisions run deep. Yet, in death, Odinga appeared to have achieved what eluded him in life: uniting his people, if only for a day.

On Saturday, his body was flown to Kisumu, the lakeside city that served as his political fortress, before his final resting place in Bondo, his ancestral home. There, among his people, he was buried as he had wished, within 72 hours, in a simple but dignified ceremony that reflected the humility of a man who once said, “Leadership is not about titles, but about transforming lives.”

Professor Ayang’ Nyong’o, Odinga’s longtime ally and governor of Kisumu County, described him as “a man who gave dignity to the common Kenyan.” He added, “Without Raila, Kenya’s democracy would not be what it is today. His fight for devolution and equality will be remembered as his greatest gift to the nation.”

Across Africa, the death of Raila Odinga has stirred reflection. In Zimbabwe, many recalled how Tsvangirai faced similar battles against entrenched power, often at great personal cost. In Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, and elsewhere, activists saw in Odinga’s life a mirror of their own struggles, the enduring dream of an Africa free from corruption, tribalism, and tyranny.

Odinga’s passing closes a significant chapter in Kenya’s democratic evolution, yet it opens another for Africa as a whole, one that challenges the continent’s youth to take up the torch of justice and integrity.

As the sun set over Lake Victoria, mourners sang and danced, as is Luo tradition, celebrating not just a life lost, but a legacy gained. The words of one young mourner lingered in the air: “We are Raila’s children. We will not let his dream die.”

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