E don one year wey Kenya former Prime Minister Raila Odinga pass away after illness, and the East African country dey feel the gap wey im absence don cause.
Odinga, wey be heartbeat of Kenya opposition politics for more than four decades, get plenty followers across the country wey get about 55 million people.
Him well-attended state funeral for October 2025, wey TV dem show for different parts of the world, show the place the veteran politician hold for him supporters heart.
Thousands of people full road to accompany him coffin when dem carry him remain back to Kenya from India, where e die while dem dey give am medical treatment.
Odinga nickname “Baba”, wey mean “father” for Swahili — one of Kenya two official languages — still show the emotional connection wey e build with people.
The former prime minister bin well-loved because of the strong fight wey e lead from the 1990s and the years after to make sure Kenyans get key freedoms, including freedom to form plenty political parties and make organised opposition exist.
People also credit am for championing freedom of expression and association, plus to strengthen the right to fair trial for courts for Kenya.
Even though e run for president five times without win, some of him once political opponents — Kenya current President William Ruto and him predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta — publicly praise Odinga for im steady leadership qualities.
"Once-in-a-generation leader"
During Odinga state funeral for mid-October 2025, President Ruto describe am as "once-in-a-generation leader whose impact transcends his moment, whose courage inspires change, and whose vision shapes destinies." Earlier Ruto bin call Odinga "the most significant leader of Kenya's democratic experiment."
Former President Kenyatta describe the ex-prime minister as a "courageous" leader wey get "strength of mind and spirit, and love for his country."
The kind words from both Ruto and Kenyatta help cool the memory of the fierce political battles wey Odinga fight with dem between 2013 and 2022. Odinga lose to Kenyatta for 2013 and 2017 presidential elections, and e also lose to Ruto for 2022 polls. For those times, Odinga accuse election tampering, and im attempts to challenge the results for court no succeed.
Shortly after losing to both Kenyatta and Ruto, Odinga later find way to work with the government of the day, inside wetin Kenya call the "handshake" — meaning political rapprochement. Ruto describe Odinga consistent willingness to make peace as "selfless", while Kenyatta say the move cement Odinga credentials as a "peacemaker."
Na this same man agree to take the less powerful position of prime minister after the controversial 2007 election wey e lose to Mwai Kibaki. Odinga say the decision, wey some people call delayed, help stop Kenya from entering full-blown civil war after more than 1,200 people die during the post-election violence.
Glued Kenya's opposition together
One year after him death, Kenya dey miss a leader whose unmatched patriotism both Ruto and Kenyatta praise for always to put national interest pass personal ambition.
Beyond the forgiving side, Kenya also miss the politician wey glue opposition together and make sure the government of the day follow through on election promises.
Polycarp Otieno Nges, 32, wey dey Rangwe for Homa Bay county for western Kenya, remember Odinga big role for the adoption of Kenya 2010 constitution wey dem dey use till now.
"We dey enjoy the devolution of state resources today because Odinga fight for the new constitution. This one don help quick development for counties," Nges tell TRT Afrika.
Frederick Otieno Omoro, wey dey Ndhiwa, also for Homa Bay County, describe Odinga as politician wey fit attract national support easy because of him big contribution to Kenya democracy and development.
"Odinga fit gather big crowds for him stronghold and even for places wey people no too like am. I never see another Kenyan politician wey get that level of charisma," Omoro talk, with nostalgia for him face.
Since im pass, the biggest opposition party wey Odinga found in 2005, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), don split into two rival groups. One group, led by Odinga elder brother Oburu Oginga, support working arrangement with President Ruto, while the other, led by ODM ousted Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, oppose Ruto re-election.
Oginga, 82-year-old senator for Siaya in Western Kenya, say Odinga die while he dey work with Ruto and so the relationship suppose continue. Sifuna, 44-year-old senator for Nairobi, say Ruto no deliver on campaign promises and so e no deserve second term.
Widely admired
Oginga still remain member for ODM and na him lead one faction, while Sifuna don start him new political party, The Equitable Party (TEP). Sifuna, who be first-time lawmaker wey win seat in 2022, talk say he ready to challenge Ruto for 2027 presidential election.
But division inside ODM no be the only cracks for Kenya opposition wey before time dey solidly behind Odinga. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also launch him political party, Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), in May 2025 after im impeachment in October 2024. Plenty other opposition parties still dey ready to try unseat Ruto for 2027, so make unity among them hard to arrange. Odinga by himself fit stitch the opposition together.
The undying love wey him supporters get for am show for October 3, 2026, when Kenyans for different parts of the country light candles for him memory.
Three hundred and sixty-five days after him death, the charismatic opposition leader absence still dey make loud echo inside Kenya borders and beyond.
Immortalised
Odinga, son of Kenya former Vice-President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, die at age 80 on October 15, 2025. Doctors say he succumb to cardiac arrest in India, where e dey receive treatment for multiple complications.
The Kenyan government don immortalise Odinga by renaming the $350-million Talanta Stadium for Nairobi, the country newest and most expensive football stadium, after the ex-Prime Minister. President Ruto also propose say Kenya third-largest airport, Kisumu International Airport wey dey Odinga Western Kenya stronghold city Kisumu, should carry Odinga name.
Additionally, President Ruto posthumously give Odinga the highest national honour, Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (CGH), an award the sitting Kenyan president fit give to select foreign dignitaries and global leaders. Odinga grave for Bondo, Siaya County, also declare mausoleum of national significance in October 2026.
