By Hassan Wekesa - Editor
Kenya, 17 October 2026 - Raila Odinga’s widow, Mama Ida Odinga on Saturday apologised to guests who were jeered at the former Prime Minister’s first memorial anniversary held at Migwena Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County on 15 October 2026.
Ida, who is Kenya's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) said she was “particularly disappointed by the conduct of sections of the political class”.
In a statement on Saturday, she said parts of the commemoration had been disrupted by booing, shouting and acts of intimidation directed at some guests.
She described reports that individuals may have been paid and transported to heckle invitees as deeply disturbing to the larger Jaramogi Oginga Odinga family.
“To every guest who was subjected to such treatment, I offer, on behalf of the Odinga family, our sincere and unreserved apologies,” Mama Ida said.
She said it was indeed painful that guests who arrived at the venue to stand with the family at a deeply personal moment, were met with jeers and boos at the moment when they deserved to be received with courtesy, warmth and respect.
She stressed that the family had no quarrel with any invitee.
“Every guest we invited was welcome,” she said, adding that an invitation to a family commemoration was “an expression of fellowship, not a summons”.
Mama Ida also thanked President William Ruto for supporting the construction and completion of Raila Amolo Odinga mausoleum, and appealed to politicians to rein in their supporters.
On behalf of the Odinga family, she expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the people of Kenya and to friends from across Africa and beyond who stood with them as they commemorated the first anniversary of the passing of her beloved husband.
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“His resting place must never become a battleground for political rivalries,” she said.
She added: “Neither should our family’s grief be turned into an occasion for settling political scores.”
She has since come under attack following what transpired at the commemoration event at Migwena Grounds in Bondo, a year to the day after Raila died on 15 October 2025. Chants of “two-term” and “one-term” rose and fell depending on which leader, and which faction, was speaking.
Siaya Governor James Orengo welcomed leaders of the Linda Mwananchi faction to address the gathering after speakers from the government-leaning side had finished.
The faction almost carried the day, with supporters chanting “one-term” for President Ruto. Orengo also claimed his security detail had been withdrawn yet again.
Mwananchi Party leader Babu Owino, who wants to be Nairobi governor, honoured Raila as an anchor in political storms.
Martha Karua of the People’s Liberation Party said he desired a democratic, united nation, while presidential hopeful Edwin Sifuna said Raila taught him that leadership meant talking to people respectfully.
ODM deputy party leader Simba Arati, reading a speech by Dr Oburu Oginga, said he believed Raila had won the 2013 and 2017 elections but that Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in by force. He insisted that the faction supporting Oburu Oginga as the Party Leader, will remain in broad-based government. They are supporting President Ruto's re-election in the forthcoming 2027 General Election.