In a stirring and deeply emotional tribute, Raila Odinga Jr has opened a window into the soul of a father whose life was as public as it was personal — a man revered by millions, yet known intimately by few, the enigma that is Raila Amolo Odinga.
Shared across his social media, the tribute video offers more than just memories — it is a love letter, a farewell, and a call to remember.
Set to soft, haunting instrumentals, it weaves together archival footage and rare family moments: the roar of jubilant crowds welcoming Raila after his release from detention in the 1980s; his fiery defiance on campaign trails; tender scenes of him reading to his grandchildren, laughing with his wife Ida, or enjoying a quiet evening at home.
The video opens with a powerful quote from the late statesman:
“Remember the words of the dead; they are powerful. What they left behind, do not discard.”
In the days following his sudden passing in Kerala, India, where he succumbed to cardiac arrest at the age of 80, the country has been united in mourning. Yet, through the eyes of his son, the nation has been reminded not only of the revolutionary, but of the father. The husband. The friend.
“Dad was my hero,” Raila Jr says in his eulogy.
“Thank you for your name, and your love. Thank you for grounding me in our traditions, while urging me to grow into a modern man. Thank you for standing by me even when I fell short. For hearing me. For believing in me.”
The tribute has moved millions — not just because of the grief it conveys, but because of the profound gratitude it carries. In one particularly tender moment, Raila is seen watching football with his family. “I will miss watching Arsenal with you,” Raila Jr adds with a soft smile. “(This is our year!).”
In between public triumphs and personal sacrifices, the video reminds Kenyans of the man behind the myth — one who cradled his grandchildren, walked hand-in-hand with Ida, and offered unwavering support to his children.
“He was my father, but he belonged to all of us,” Raila Jr continues.
“I am alive to the responsibility I carry, now more than ever. With Fidel gone, I am the gentleman of this family. I promise to take care of Mum, Rosie, and Winnie — and the larger political family Dad leaves behind.”
The tribute has become more than a digital memorial. For a grieving nation, it is a mirror reflecting the legacy of a man who dared to dream of a freer, fairer Kenya — and whose voice, though silenced, echoes in every Kenyan still fighting for justice.
As Raila’s body lies at Lee Funeral Home, draped in national honor, memorial services are planned in Nairobi, Kisumu, and his ancestral home in Bondo.
President William Ruto has declared a seven-day mourning period and a national holiday to commemorate his lifelong commitment to democracy and civil rights.
In Raila Jr’s closing words:
“You have run your race with honor. May grace now lead you home, and may the ancestors receive and rest you well. Nind gi kwe, Baba. Aheri.”
For a man who lived for the people, his final goodbye, spoken through the voice of his son, has become a lasting reminder that legacies are not built in power, but in love.
