Raila Odinga’s son, Raila Junior, on Friday, October 17, 2025, took the centre stage during a brief session at the parliament building as the Odinga family paid respect to their departed dad.
In what is a development that could bear significant political and symbolic connotation, Raila’s sole surviving son, took over the fly-whisk and the iconic Jaramogi Oginga’s hat during the solemn event at the Parliament Building.
He hauled the whisk above his father’s body before waving it sideways as the family members stood beside him.
Raila Jnr ended his tribute by bowing before his father’s unmoved figure, an ultimate sign of reverence.
In Luo culture, a fly whisk, known as an orengo, is a powerful symbol of leadership, authority, and respect traditionally carried by respected individuals, including elders or chiefs.
The symbol is largely used in traditional rituals, political contexts, and ceremonies.
Just as his late father, Raila Odinga equally used the fly whisk during speeches, rally crowds, and while paying respects at funerals, such as he had recently done during the burial of Ongondo Were and his departed Aide, George Oduor ealier in the year.
The other members of the family also took their turn to pay their respect to the remains of the former Prime Minister that lay in state at the Parliament building.
Raila Junior’s younger sister, Winnie, and Raila’s sister also paid their respect to the family patriarch.
Raila Jnr became the only surviving son of the departed ODM leader following his eldest brother, Fidel Castro Odinga’s death in January 2015, at the age of 42.
Apart from his cryptic post on social media, which are usually few and far in between, the man has maintained a low and laid-back life, opting instead to focus more on his business.
