Uhuru Kenyatta Pays Solemn Graveside Visit to Raila Odinga a Day After Burial
In a quiet and reflective gesture, former President Uhuru Kenyatta returned to Raila Odinga’s gravesite on Monday, just one day after the former Prime Minister was laid to rest in Bondo, Siaya County. The visit underscored the deep personal bond between the two leaders, whose political journey evolved from fierce rivalry to a unifying partnership.
A Private Moment of Remembrance
Uhuru Kenyatta was accompanied by Raila Odinga’s elder brother, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, during the solemn return to the Kang’o ka Jaramogi homestead. The former president stood silently at the graveside, his gaze fixed on the final resting place of his late friend.
In a poignant moment, he raised his right hand towards the grave before sharing a brief prayer with Senator Oginga. Kenyatta chose not to address the media, departing quietly after his personal tribute.
Honouring a Legacy and a Friendship
A statement from the former president’s office later confirmed the visit, noting that he had condoled with the Odinga family and “paid tribute to the life and legacy of his longtime friend and compatriot.”
The statement added, “Kenyatta also visited the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum to honour the memory of the Odinga family’s enduring contribution to Kenya’s history and democracy.”
Raila Odinga was buried on Sunday afternoon next to his parents, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Mary Ajuma Odinga. The private family ceremony, which followed a larger public funeral, included state honours and a 17-gun salute.
From Political Rivals to Partners
The relationship between Kenyatta and Odinga was a defining feature of Kenya’s recent political history. They were political opponents in both the 2013 and 2017 presidential elections before their famous “Handshake” agreement in 2018. This significant agreement ended a difficult period of political turmoil that followed the disputed results of the 2017 polls.
Reflecting on their complex journey last week, Kenyatta described Odinga as a “brother, friend and patriot.” He stated, “Raila and I were navigators on opposing currents, charting different courses for the nation we both loved… Baba, as we fondly referred to him, was a man who made you sharpen your own ideas.”
Kenyatta highlighted that their partnership revealed Odinga’s true character, saying, “I saw first-hand his unwavering passion for this country, his deep-seated belief in justice, and his incredible capacity to think beyond personal ambition for the sake of national peace.”
This final, personal visit serves as a powerful testament to a friendship that transcended previous political competition. This significant connection left a deep and lasting mark on the entire nation’s collective political landscape.
