President William Ruto is expected to lead the nation in commemorating the first anniversary of the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, as preparations for the memorial celebrations conclude in Bondo, Siaya County.
The main event is scheduled to take place at Migwena Grounds, where leaders from across the political divide are expected to join the Odinga family and Kenyans in honouring the late opposition leader and reflecting on his political legacy.
Raila’s family has extended invitations to leaders across the political spectrum, underscoring the national significance of the anniversary.
The celebrations were preceded by a night vigil at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, led by Raila’s widow, Ida Odinga, alongside family members and local leaders.
As the country prepares to mark one year since Raila’s death on October 15, 2025, Ida has opened up about the painful circumstances surrounding the moment she learnt that her husband of more than five decades had died.
In an interview at Opoda Farm in Bondo ahead of the anniversary, Ida revealed that their daughter, Winnie Odinga, was the one who broke the devastating news to her after doctors in India made efforts to resuscitate the former Prime Minister.
Ida said she had spoken to her husband the previous day and had no indication that his condition had deteriorated.
“The day before he passed away, we talked quite a lot. We were talking about ordinary things. There was nothing unusual, no alarm and nothing to suggest that he was unwell. He even assured me that he was feeling very well and that there was nothing wrong,” she said.
She recalled receiving a telephone call the following morning from Raila’s sister, Dr Akinyi Wenwa, who asked her to contact another sister, Ruth Adhiambo, who was with him in India.
“She told me, ‘Things don't seem right, but can you call Ruth in India and find out what is going on?’” Ida recounted.
Unable to reach Ruth, Ida turned to Winnie, who was also in India accompanying her father.
Winnie informed her that Raila had collapsed while taking a walk and that medical personnel were attempting to resuscitate him.
Ida said she was shocked when her daughter explained that doctors were trying to save his life and had taken him to the intensive care unit.
“I asked, ‘Resuscitate?’ She said, ‘Yes. They are taking him to the ICU, and they are trying to resuscitate him, but I'll keep you informed,’” she recalled.
About 10 minutes later, Winnie called again with the news that the family had lost Raila.
“Ten minutes later, Winnie called me and said, ‘Mum, we've lost the battle.’ I asked, ‘What? What are you saying?’ Then she said, ‘Dad is gone.’ And that is how I received the news,” Ida said.
The former Prime Minister’s death marked a profound loss for his family and supporters across the country, bringing an end to a political career that spanned decades and shaped Kenya’s multiparty democracy.
For Ida, however, the loss has been deeply personal, with the routines and memories of their long marriage continuing to make his absence difficult to accept.
She admitted that even after Raila was brought back to Kenya and laid to rest, she sometimes struggled to come to terms with the reality that he was no longer physically present.
“It has been difficult because, sometimes, I personally don't believe he is gone,” she said.
Ida explained that she still finds herself expecting her husband to return home, particularly because he occasionally stayed out late during his lifetime.
“When he was here, he would sometimes stay out late before coming home. So, whenever I go home, I keep hoping that he is going to come back. You wait and wait until late into the night, and then you realise that he is not coming,” she said.
The memories are reinforced by familiar sights around their home, including Raila’s belongings and the chair he regularly occupied.
“When you enter the house, his usual chair is empty. At the dining table, his usual chair is no longer occupied. His clothes are still around,” Ida said.
Despite the grief, she credited her faith with helping her navigate the difficult period, saying she continued to feel a spiritual connection to her late husband.
“But we thank God because I know that even if he is not physically present, his spirit is alive, and his spirit is with us,” she said.
