Opinion - Raila Memorabilia Shows Legacy Lives On | Dawan Africa

By Kepher Otieno - Reporter

Kenya, 31 January 2026 - In Karen, history and memory collided on Friday when Mama Ida Odinga led her family to receive a treasure trove of memorabilia honouring the late Raila Amolo Odinga.

The occasion was solemn. Yet, it was electric in symbolism.

Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’Oei presided. Diplomats, politicians, and close allies gathered. The message was clear: Raila’s impact transcended borders. He was not just a Kenyan politician. He was Africa’s statesman, a diplomat who wielded influence across the continent and on the global stage.

Sing’Oei made the stakes explicit. The four volumes of memorabilia were more than condolence letters.

“They reflect recognition,” he said.

Recognition of Raila’s commitment to principled diplomacy. To Pan-African unity. To infrastructure-led integration. To Africa’s rightful voice in the corridors of global power.

The tributes span heads of state, international institutions, and individuals. They illustrate the breadth of Raila’s reach. Kenya may have lost a leader, but Africa lost a unifying force.

Mama Ida Odinga spoke with quiet power. She recounted 52 years alongside Raila.

The marriage had its highs and lows. Yet, she called it “the best time of my life.”

Her words drew nods, smiles, and tears. There was warmth, but also a reminder of the man behind the political icon.

She revealed a little-known fact: Raila had requested to be buried within 72 hours of his passing. A tight window, she said.

“Everything had to be done very quickly,” she recalled.

She praised President William Ruto for ensuring the late leader’s wishes were honoured. Politics, for a moment, gave way to respect.

Condolences continue to pour in, she said. Visitors, letters, and messages keep coming.

“Our homes remain open,” Mama Ida affirmed. Her words hinted at a legacy that refuses to fade.

Sing’Oei also carried messages from Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

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The government pledged support for a museum in Bondo dedicated to Raila. Plans for an annual conference in his name were announced, aiming to gather African and international minds on diplomacy and democracy. The Odingas’ blessing remains central.

Amid the mourning, there was a note of progress. Mama Ida herself was congratulated for her recent nomination as Kenya’s ambassador to the UN offices in Nairobi and UNEP. Sing’Oei expressed confidence in her ability to influence environmental sustainability and climate policy. The torch is being passed, in diplomacy and vision.

The memorabilia presentation was more than ceremony. It was a statement of values. Dialogue over division. Justice over expediency. Unity over fear. Raila’s legacy is a roadmap for Kenya’s diplomatic and democratic path.

For the Odinga family, the artifacts are both tribute and testament. Each letter, photograph, and note captures the essence of a life spent shaping Kenya and Africa.

Mama Ida’s gratitude was palpable.

“These tributes reflect Baba’s enduring legacy,” she said.

The volumes were handed over. Cameras flashed. Politicians exchanged quiet nods. Diplomats paused. But the real story is larger than any photograph.

Raila Odinga’s influence is enduring, alive in policy, memory, and the corridors of power.

His political journey may have ended, but his imprint remains indelible.

Kenya—and Africa—continue to navigate the path he helped chart. His diplomacy, foresight, and unifying voice linger. For a country often divided, the message is clear: leaders may pass, but true legacy is permanent.

Raila Odinga is gone. Yet his shadow looms large. In Karen, in Bondo, in Nairobi, and far beyond. And on Friday as memorabilia were received, the country was reminded why he was called “Baba.”

Opinion - Raila's Memorabilia Shows Legacy Lives On and that Raila’s impact transcended borders — Mama Ida Odinga, who is Raila Odinga's widow, leads her family in receiving a treasure trove of memorabilia honouring the former prime minister | X post Korir Sing'Oei

The writer is a senior journalist in Kenya, media consultant, columnist and a regular advocate for democracy and good governance in Africa. kepherpeace@gmail.com

The opinion expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Dawan Africa.