ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has marked the late Raila Odinga’s birthday with a powerful tribute that doubles as a sharp warning to Kenya’s political class, accusing the current leadership of betraying the ideals Baba stood for and presiding over a dangerous drift toward impunity and intolerance.
In a lengthy and reflective statement shared on Wednesday, Sifuna said that nearly three months after Raila’s death, the sense of loss remains as raw as ever for millions of Kenyans who drew inspiration, courage, and political direction from the veteran opposition leader.
“Many of us are no closer to overcoming this loss than we were two months ago,” Sifuna wrote, noting that Raila’s towering national stature means the country may never fully stop mourning him.
As Kenyans marked what would have been Raila Odinga’s birthday, Sifuna said the day offered a moment not only for remembrance, but also for deep reflection on the state of the nation since Baba’s passing.
While celebrating Raila’s life as one defined by courage, sacrifice, and an uncompromising commitment to freedom and justice, the Nairobi Senator lamented what he described as a growing culture of impunity, dictatorship, and intolerance that has emerged in the post-Raila political landscape.
“Over the past two months, the ideals and principles by which Raila lived and conducted his politics have been violated,” Sifuna said, warning of a conspiracy of silence in the face of threats to multiparty democracy.
He described Raila as Kenya’s foremost second liberation icon and the undisputed father of multiparty democracy and the 2010 Constitution, reforms that gave birth to devolution and were meant to curb excessive state power while ensuring equitable sharing of national resources.
Sifuna argued that multiparty democracy was intended to foster free expression, ideological diversity, and strong, independent political parties—values he said Raila jealously guarded to the very end.
“It is no wonder Baba insisted on respect for multiparty democracy and the integrity of political parties being anchored in the MoU he signed with President William Ruto,” he said.
According to Sifuna, Raila’s death has created an opening for regression, shrinking democratic space, and the erosion of political tolerance—developments he said Raila would have firmly resisted.
“The country misses the wisdom and foresight of Baba more than ever,” he added.
Despite the challenges, Sifuna called on leaders mentored by Raila to remain steadfast and to spearhead a new political renaissance rooted in the Constitution’s values of sovereignty of the people, equality, democracy, social justice, and the rule of law.
“We do not have the luxury of rest, nor do we possess any fear in pursuit of Raila’s ideals,” Sifuna declared, portraying the late ODM leader as a man who consistently chose principle over convenience and resistance over silence, even at great personal cost.
He concluded by reaffirming his personal and political commitment to staying the course Raila charted, saying that honoring Baba’s memory requires action, courage, and unwavering fidelity to the values he lived and died for.
“On his birthday, we renew our dedication to the principles he stood for,” Sifuna said. “Happy birthday Baba.”
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