Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday lightened the sombre mood at Nyayo Stadium as he recalled the humorous and reflective moments, he once shared with the late Raila Odinga even as he mourned him as a brother, friend, and patriot.
Speaking during Raila Odinga’s state funeral at Nyayo National Stadium on Friday, October 17, he recalled casual talks with Raila about their forefathers Jomo Kenyatta and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and other fallen heroes of the country and region, during which they would wonder if their forefathers were watching them and what they thought about them.
“Sometimes after work, when we’d relax a bit, we would be given a small something there. You’re laughing? By ‘a small something,’ I mean porridge and tea.”
“We would talk about our fathers who had passed away, wondering if they were watching us and what they might be saying. Now I know you are with them, talking to our old men,” Uhuru said.
While jokingly clarifying that he was in no rush to join the forefathers, he revealed he finds comfort knowing Raila is now with them in a better place.
“Now, my friend, now that you have gone ahead of me there, I know you all talk to each other there. Not that I’m in a hurry to come and join you there, I still want to rest a bit, may God help us. I know when our time comes, you will be there to show us the way and the roads there. May God have mercy and rest your soul.”
The crowd responded with laughter and applause before falling back into silence as Uhuru’s tone turned deeply emotional.
“My heart is heavy, and my spirit is burdened with a grief that is both profound and deeply personal,” he said.
“The news of Raila’s passing has left a silence that echoes across our nation a silence where once there was a voice of thunder and conviction.”
Uhuru described Raila as a man who shaped Kenya’s political story not just as a rival, but as a partner in nation-building.
“Raila and I were navigators on opposing currents, charting different courses for the nation we both loved,” he said. “At some point along that journey, we became political opponents. The competition was tough, but from it came respect and a shared patriotism.”
Uhuru also eulogised Raila as a beacon of peace, democracy and human rights in Kenya.
Uhuru added that no account of the country’s history would be complete without mentioning Raila at the forefront.
“Our history in this country is not complete without Raila as number one,” he said as he urged Kenyans to maintain the ideals of Raila for eternity.
In his speech, Uhuru described Raila as a leader who remained close to the people and embraced all Kenyans equally.
“Raila Odinga was never tribal; he loved all the people of Kenya.This is evident in the friendships he built across the country. Raila valued you for your thoughts and words not because of the colour of your skin,” he said
“Raila has left us in body but in our spirits and in the spirit of Kenya, he will live for years to come.”
Uhuru also offered his condolences to Raila’s family, led by his widow, Mama Ida Odinga, and their children, Rosemary, Junior, and Winnie.
He added that he would now take care of them in Raila’s absence.
“I have come to mourn a friend and a brother,” he said. “Even in our sadness, let’s take the opportunity to appreciate Mama Ida and the family. To Kenyans, I say thank you for giving us Raila.”
