Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah has described himself as “orphaned” following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, paying an emotional tribute to the man he called his mentor.
Speaking on Saturday, October 18, 2025, the Roots Party leader delivered a moving reflection on Raila’s legacy as the country finalises preparations for his burial in Bondo on Sunday, October 19, 2025.
“Raila has left me as an orphan. I was holding on to him and learning from him. Everything that you see about me is from Raila and his father,” Wajackoyah began, his voice cracking with emotion.
The lawyer-turned-politician, known for his unconventional 2022 presidential bid, credited Raila and his late father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, as the architects of his political persona.
He admitted the void left by Raila’s death is too vast to fill. “I don’t know how we are going to fill that gap. Raila’s shoes are too big to fill, and I cannot even move near there,” he said, urging Kenyans to uphold Raila’s principles. “We pray that whatever is truthful, we shall continue with his legacy,” he added.
Wajackoyah praised Raila’s character and reconciliatory spirit. “Raila is a man of honesty and integrity, and he loved his enemies.
There are those who abused him and called him names, and at the end of the day you see him laughing with them and embracing and even appointing them,” he said, recounting Raila’s gestures of unity that defined his political journey.
Looking ahead to his own 2027 presidential ambitions, Wajackoyah urged his supporters to embrace dialogue and reject insults.
“My party and I prepare to run for elections in 2027, and I have instructed those who believe in me, those who believe in what we do, not to abuse Ruto nor Raila nor Gachagua, but to embrace each other. We need some kind of talk with Kenyans; we do not need to abuse each other but to tell Kenyans what we can do for them and collectively,” he said.
He dismissed emerging alliances, stating, “I can see some of my friends and colleagues are now coming up to form groups to take over power. Yes, it is a good thing, but none of them has ever come to ask me what the Roots Party stands for. That’s why I’m not joining any of those fellows.”
