A bitter power struggle has erupted within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) following reports that Winnie Odinga, daughter of the late party founder Raila Odinga, has locked interim party leader Oburu Odinga out of the late Raila’s historic Capitol Hill headquarters in Nairobi.

The move signals a dramatic escalation of tensions between the Odinga family and the party leadership just five months after Raila Odinga died in Kerala, India, and threatens to fracture one of Kenya’s most influential political movements.

Battle over party headquarters

Sources within the party say the dispute stems from the ownership of the Capitol Hill building, long regarded as the nerve centre of ODM’s political operations.

According to insiders familiar with the matter, Raila Odinga personally purchased the building during his lifetime and registered it under the Odinga family rather than the party. With the property now considered a private family asset, Winnie Odinga has reportedly moved to enforce control over the premises.

The decision effectively bars the party leadership under Oburu from operating out of the building that for decades served as the opposition movement’s headquarters.

For years, the compound hosted strategy meetings, campaign planning sessions, and high-level political negotiations, becoming synonymous with Raila Odinga’s political command centre.

Oburu forced to relocate

Stripped of access to Capitol Hill, Oburu Odinga has relocated ODM’s operational base to a residence along Riverside Drive in Nairobi.

Party insiders say the new base was acquired by a long-time ODM financier, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding leadership transition.

The move represents a symbolic and logistical shift for the party, which now finds itself operating away from the iconic compound that anchored its identity for over two decades.

Staff purge sparks emotional scenes

The crisis deepened earlier this week when a meeting convened at the Capitol Hill offices reportedly turned into an emotional farewell for several members of Raila Odinga’s personal secretariat.

Long-serving aides were informed their services were no longer required, triggering tears among staff who had worked with the former prime minister through multiple election cycles and political crises.

Among those reportedly affected was Raila’s long-time driver, who had served the opposition leader for nearly two decades.

However, ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen sought to downplay the scale of the changes, saying only a small number of staff were affected.

“People have not been sacked,” Ong’wen said, explaining that some individuals had been working informally after Raila’s death and were being offered transitional arrangements.

Deepening factional divisions

The property dispute comes as ODM grapples with one of the most serious internal splits in its history.

The party is currently divided between rival factions over its political direction and its relationship with President William Ruto’s administration.

One camp led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has openly criticized the party’s cooperation with the government, presenting a report rating the ODM–UDA power-sharing arrangement poorly.

Meanwhile, the faction aligned with Oburu Odinga has defended the engagement as necessary for national stability.

Uncertain future for Raila’s political legacy

The latest developments underscore the growing uncertainty surrounding ODM’s future following the death of its founding leader.

For decades, Raila Odinga served as the party’s unifying figure, balancing competing interests while maintaining loyalty among grassroots supporters.

But with the party now facing property battles, staff purges, and factional rivalries, analysts warn that ODM may be entering its most turbulent chapter yet.

As one party insider put it, the padlocks at Capitol Hill symbolize more than a property dispute.

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Three months after the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, questions continue to swirl around Mohammed Abdi Jama, better known as Oketch Salah, the self-styled adopted son who has emerged from the shadows to position himself at the intersection of Kenya’s most powerful political and business networks.

At the heart of the mystery lies a simple question that has captivated and divided the nation. What business was Salah really conducting with Raila, and how did a relatively unknown figure from Migori transform himself into a man who now arrives at political events by helicopter, dines with presidents, and claims intimate knowledge of Kenya’s most revered politician’s final wishes?

The answer, investigations reveal, lies in the lucrative and politically connected world of gold mining in Nyatike, where fortunes are made not just underground but in the corridors of power.

Salah’s family background offers the first clue to understanding his trajectory. Born to Abdi Salah, a wealthy businessman who owned Migori’s first storey building in the 1970s and ran a successful bakery, young Mohammed grew up in relative privilege. The family, part of the Somali immigrant community that settled in Migori through Mandera, integrated fully into Luo society. Salah became fluent in Dholuo, attended Ombo Primary School and later Kangeso Secondary School, and built the cultural bridges that would later serve his ambitions.

But his path was far from linear. After his father’s death and burial in a Migori cemetery, Salah moved to Mombasa, where he worked as a loader for a transport company in Miritini before being promoted to supervisor. From there, he made his way to Somalia and eventually to the United States under the Temporary Protected Status program, a humanitarian provision that Congress created for nationals from countries facing armed conflict or disasters.

It was during this period abroad that Salah accumulated capital that he would later wire back to Kenya. When President Donald Trump’s administration ended the protected status for Somali immigrants in March this year, Salah had already returned to Kenya with a fortune and a plan.

The gold rush in Nyatike provided the perfect opportunity. The Migori Greenstone Belt, an extension of the gold-rich Tanzanian Craton, has long been one of Kenya’s most productive gold regions. With an estimated production of 34 tonnes per year generating approximately 67 billion shillings, the area attracts investors from around the world. But success in this sector requires more than geological knowledge. It demands political connections and government goodwill.

This is where Raila Odinga entered the picture, and where Salah’s story takes a calculated turn.

Sources familiar with the arrangement say Salah initially befriended former Nyatike MP Onyango Anyanga while the politician was still in Parliament and close to Raila. Through Anyanga, who later fell out with the ODM leader so spectacularly that he vowed to denounce his party membership, Salah gained his crucial introduction to the former Prime Minister.

What followed was a masterclass in leveraging political proximity for business advantage. Salah registered a gold mining company and began telling potential partners and investors across Africa that Raila was not just his mentor but a shareholder in his ventures. His social media pages, which only became active in late September 2025 as Raila’s health declined, became a carefully curated showcase of access and influence.

Photos showed Salah with Raila on flights, enjoying meals, dancing at events, and visiting foreign capitals. Unlike many Muslims, Salah was photographed enjoying hard drinks and shisha with the political elite, a detail that former schoolmates say reflects his pragmatic approach to business and networking. The images served a dual purpose: they cemented his credentials as Raila’s confidant while simultaneously advertising his access to power for business purposes.

The strategy worked spectacularly. Salah secured meetings with African leaders, including Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, framing his visits as business missions focused on mining and energy. For a private Kenyan citizen with no formal government position, such access raised obvious questions about the networks and interests at play. Was he genuinely Raila’s adopted son, or was this designation a convenient business card that opened doors across the continent?

Dr. Oburu Oginga, Raila’s elder brother who now leads ODM, has publicly endorsed Salah, calling him “a son of Raila” and highlighting his role during the former Prime Minister’s final days in India. At Salah’s son Abdinoor’s wedding at Serena Hotel on October 25, just ten days after Raila’s death, Oburu told the gathering that Salah “was taking care of Raila until the day he breathed his last.”

But Raila’s own family tells a starkly different story. His daughter Winnie Odinga has been unequivocal in her rejection of Salah’s claims. In a recent television interview, she dismissed him as someone she “would like to believe nobody really knows” and suggested he should be “rushed to Mathare or the DCI” for making false and dangerous statements about her father. Her sister Ruth Odinga, Kisumu Woman Representative and Raila’s sister, was equally devastating in her assessment, admitting she cannot even place who Salah is despite his claims of intimate family ties.

The contradictions extend to Salah’s professional credentials. While he styles himself as “Dr. Oketch Salah” and claimed to be Raila’s personal physician, investigations by multiple media houses have found no trace of his name in the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Dentists and Pharmacists Council registers. The real Raila family doctor was Dr. David Oluoch Olunya, a respected neurosurgeon who attended to the former Prime Minister for over two decades.

Some of Salah’s claims strain credulity entirely. Reports have credited him with performing brain surgeries on hippopotamuses in Muhuru Bay, heart operations on hyenas in Seme, stopping coronavirus spread among animals in the Serengeti and Maasai Mara, and upgrading the Raboral VRG vaccine, all supposedly done “using pure talent, not textbooks.” Medical professionals describe these claims as fantastical.

Yet despite these red flags, Salah has successfully inserted himself into Kenya’s political machinery in ways that suggest either genuine connections or sophisticated manipulation. He attended State House functions alongside President William Ruto and Oburu Oginga during celebrations for broad-based government legislators. He has pledged to financially support ten youths from Jacaranda Bunge la Wananchi with 50,000 shillings each, plus motorcycles for men and hairdressing equipment for women, mirroring Raila’s 2022 campaign promise of a 6,000 shilling monthly stipend.

Most controversially, Salah claimed at an ODM meeting in Bondo that Raila wanted the party to endorse President Ruto in the 2027 presidential race, a statement that has split ODM down the middle and thrust him into the eye of a political storm. Neither Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura nor State House Spokesman Hussein Mohamed has commented on who Salah is or whether he holds any official government position.

The silence from State House is particularly telling given Salah’s documented visits and the fact that when Raila died in India, President Ruto stated he had been briefed by both the family and “his friend who was in India.” Multiple sources suggest Salah was providing intelligence from Raila’s inner circle to government operatives, much as critics now accuse Junet Mohamed of having done during the 2022 elections.

Political analyst David Makali draws parallels between Salah’s operations and those of Mohamed Noor, the feared oil tycoon and State House agent during the Moi era who wielded enormous power through his proximity to the presidency. “The pattern is familiar,” Makali says. “Position yourself close to a political figure, claim special knowledge and access, and monetize that proximity. The question is always: who benefits, and what is being traded?”

For Salah, the benefits appear substantial. He now travels by helicopter, maintains multiple business interests including his gold mining operations in Nyatike, and has positioned himself as a kingmaker within ODM factions supporting the broad-based government. His financial backing of pro-government ODM politicians has become an open secret in political circles.

But the arrangement raises troubling questions about the final months of Raila Odinga’s life. Why was Salah, rather than long-time aide Maurice Ogetta, present during critical moments in India? In his own statements, Salah revealed that the security officer present when Raila had a health scare at his Karen home was Francis Ogolla, not Ogetta, contradicting earlier accounts and fueling speculation about who controlled access to the ailing leader.

Activists and Raila supporters have noted Salah’s shifting and contradictory accounts of the former Prime Minister’s final days. Some claim he is traveling across the country distributing money to quell dissent and questions about what really transpired in India. Others point to allegations that Salah was secretly recording Raila using high-tech surveillance equipment, pens, buttons, and other discreet spying gadgets, then forwarding information to unnamed masters.

The broader implications extend beyond one man’s alleged opportunism. Salah’s story illuminates the murky intersection of business and politics in Kenya, where mining licenses, government contracts, and political influence are often traded in ways that benefit a connected few while excluding the communities most affected.

In Nyatike, where artisanal miners dig 400 feet underground in dangerous conditions for a fraction of the profits, the gold sector generates billions while locals struggle. County officials complain that bureaucratic processes and national government involvement mean the county sees little benefit despite hosting such lucrative operations. Artisanal miners capture only 25 percent of the gold value, with 75 percent remaining in waste materials later collected by those with “advanced technology,” a category that likely includes well-connected businessmen like Salah.

The question of what business Salah was really doing with Raila may never be fully answered. The former Prime Minister took many secrets to his grave. But the evidence suggests a transactional relationship in which Salah provided companionship, assistance, and perhaps intelligence during Raila’s declining years, while extracting in return the ultimate business asset: proximity to power.

Whether Salah was genuinely devoted to Raila or skillfully exploiting an aging politician’s need for support may be less important than understanding the system that allowed such arrangements to flourish. In a country where political connections can transform a Migori businessman into a player on the national stage, the Oketch Salah phenomenon is less an aberration than a symptom.

Attempts to reach Salah for comment were unsuccessful. His social media pages continue to post photos from political events and business meetings, each image a testament to a proximity he claims as family ties but which others see as something far more calculated.

As Kenya heads toward the 2027 elections with ODM fractured and Raila’s legacy contested, the shadow of Oketch Salah looms large. His gold mining ventures in Nyatike continue. His political influence appears to be growing. And the questions about what really happened during Raila Odinga’s final days, and who benefited most from that access, remain largely unanswered.

In the end, the mystery of Oketch Salah and the business he was doing with Raila reveals an uncomfortable truth about Kenyan politics. Power, proximity, and profit form a triangle in which the lines between family, friendship, and transaction blur beyond recognition. And in that ambiguity, fortunes are made while the public is left to wonder who was serving whom, and at what cost.

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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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The Odinga family is in mourning following the death of Beryl Achieng Odinga, the younger sister of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The announcement was made on Tuesday, November 25, by Raila’s elder sister, Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga.

In a brief statement, Ruth revealed that Beryl, the daughter of Kenya’s first Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and his first wife, Mary Auma, passed away earlier in the day. She did not disclose the cause of death.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sudden passing of Beryl Achieng Odinga… Daughter of the Late Jaramogi Odinga and Mama Mary Ajuma Oginga. Mother to Ami Auma, Chizi, and Taurus,” Ruth said.

“While we are deeply saddened by her demise and the immense void left in our lives, we take solace in the belief that she is safe in the Lord’s arms and are thankful for the invaluable gift of the time we were privileged to share,” she added.

Prolonged Illness

Although the family has yet to issue an official medical report, sources close to them indicated that Beryl had been battling illness for an extended period. She is reported to have been in and out of a Nairobi hospital, where she ultimately succumbed. The information could not be independently verified at the time of publication.

A Quiet Life in a Prominent Family

Despite being a member of Kenya’s most recognisable political family, Beryl largely maintained a low profile throughout her life. She was an educationist by training—a professional teacher—and also qualified as a lawyer.

She is remembered as the only member of the wider Odinga family who pursued all her education in Kenya.

Beyond her academic credentials, Beryl held various leadership positions in public service, including serving as the Chairperson of the Nairobi Water and Sewage Company.

Family and Personal Life

In 1974, Beryl married Otieno Abala, a prominent real estate developer. The couple later separated under unclear circumstances, with no public information indicating whether she remarried.

Beryl leaves behind her three children—Ami Auma, Chizi, and Taurus—and a grieving extended family.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be communicated by the family in the coming days.

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Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has resigned from his position as Vice Chairperson of the Council of Governors (CoG) following widespread outrage over comments he made appearing to celebrate the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Governor Kahiga came under intense public and political criticism after a video surfaced of him speaking at a funeral in Nyeri on Tuesday, where he claimed that Raila’s death had “leveled the political playing field” and altered national development priorities that had allegedly favored the Nyanza region.

Speaking in Kikuyu, Kahiga told mourners that the passing of the ODM leader was “God’s plan” for Mt. Kenya, remarks that were immediately condemned as “insensitive, divisive, and inhumane.”

“You guys can see what had been planned, but God brought something up. Now it’s total confusion. We did not harbor hate for anyone, but God came through for us,” Kahiga said during the funeral.

“Because the plan that had been hatched… all goodies were being directed there because of tomorrow’s plans. But God came and brought this thing,” he added, in reference to Raila’s death.

“Who is God? Does he take ugali at somebody’s house or sleep in Kayole? He came through in his own way… and came for Baba so that he can go and smooth things up there.”

The remarks sparked a nationwide backlash, with leaders across the political divide accusing Kahiga of celebrating tragedy and inflaming ethnic tensions at a time when Kenya is in mourning.

Council of Governors Distances Itself

In a statement issued on Wednesday morning, Council of Governors Chair Ahmed Abdullahi said Kahiga’s remarks were “personal views that do not reflect the position of the Council.”

Abdullahi added that an extraordinary CoG meeting had been convened to address the matter, noting that the Council “deeply regrets any pain caused to the family of the late Raila Odinga and the people of Kenya.”

Resignation and Apology

Facing mounting pressure, Kahiga held a press conference later in the day where he apologized to Raila’s family, ODM supporters, and the people of Nyanza. He also announced his resignation as CoG Vice Chair with immediate effect.

“I want to apologise to the family, the larger ODM, my colleagues, and those in the Nyanza region,” Kahiga said.

“My remarks are personal and not those of the people of Nyeri or the Council of Governors. I am taking responsibility and resigning with immediate effect as the vice chair of the Council of Governors.”

Kahiga, who was elected to the CoG leadership on October 6, 2025, maintained that his comments were taken out of context but admitted they were “inappropriate and regrettable.”

Political Leaders React

Homa Bay Governor and ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga sharply criticized Kahiga’s statements, describing them as “primitive, insensitive, and insulting.”

“Governor Kahiga’s remarks represent a new low in our politics,” Wanga said.
“They reflect long-standing ethnic profiling and disdain for the Luo community, which has no place in a nation that Raila Odinga helped to democratize.”

Leaders from across the political spectrum, including Azimio and Kenya Kwanza allies, also condemned the remarks, urging leaders to show restraint and empathy during this period of national mourning.

Nation in Mourning

Raila Odinga, Kenya’s second prime minister and veteran opposition leader, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, while receiving treatment in India. His death has prompted an outpouring of grief across Kenya and beyond, with leaders describing him as a “giant of democracy” and “a father of modern Kenyan politics.”

President William Ruto declared a national period of mourning, with flags flown at half-mast until Raila’s burial.

Raila was laid to rest on Sunday, October 19, 2025, in a state funeral held at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.

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Police officers were on Thursday, October 16, 2025, forced to lob teargas and fire in the air to disperse a huge crowd at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, ahead of the body viewing of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

This is after the crowd occupied the presidential dias at the venue, making it almost impossible for President William Ruto and other dignitaries to access the field.

The incident led to chaos, with at least three people reportedly getting shot dead. The officers spared no one, as a section of journalists was also targeted.

President Ruto is among a host of national leaders who have arrived at the Kasarani ahead of the public viewing ceremony for the late Raila Odinga.

Thousands of mourners had gathered at the stadium to pay their final respects.

This development came after a last-minute change to the original plan, which had scheduled the public viewing at Parliament buildings.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretaries led by Kipchumba Murkomen (Interior), and several elected leaders from across the political divide had also arrived.

The abrupt shift to the programme was announced by the National Steering Committee. It was prompted by security and logistical concerns, with Kasarani offering a larger, more manageable space for the massive crowds expected.

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Inside the VVIP offices of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), a somber moment unfolded. 

Winnie Odinga, the youngest daughter of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Mama Ida Odinga, gently handed her father’s white fedora hat to her mother.

Clad in jungle-green pants paired with a white shirt and a matching half coat, Winnie knelt as she presented the hat, her head bowed in quiet grief and respect. 

Across from her, Mama Ida, dressed in a black skirt suit, a matching hat, a white blouse, and a striped scarf, received her late husband’s treasured hat with composure that barely concealed deep sorrow.

In another frame shared by State House, the two women lock eyes, a silent exchange heavy with emotion and loss.

Earlier, Winnie had stepped off the plane from India, her expression set in solemn resolve. 

In her hands, she carried Raila’s iconic hat, the white fedora that for decades crowned his public persona.

As she walked from the aircraft toward awaiting officials and family members, the hat seemed almost weighty with symbolism, a tangible emblem of life, legacy, and leadership now in transition.

Earlier in Mumbai, India, where Raila’s body lay, the same hat had drawn attention when it was photographed resting on a beige seat in the airport lounge, a haunting image that quickly went viral.

The image stirred emotions because that hat, for many, represented Raila himself: calm yet resolute, simple yet dignified.

By carrying the hat home herself and handing it to her mother, Winnie turned what was once a trademark accessory into a profound emblem of continuity. 

It captured a private family grief and, at the same time, the collective mourning of a nation.

For years, the white fedora had been inseparable from Raila’s image, perched slightly to the side, worn in triumphs and trials alike. 

On this day, it became more than part of his attire. It became the final bridge between memory and legacy.

Raila passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, aged 80. 

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Medical officials at Devamatha Hospital in Kerala, India, have confirmed what killed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

According to the medics, Raila died of cardiac arrest while receiving treatment in India.

In a statement released by the hospital on Thursday, doctors said the opposition leader collapsed during a morning walk at around 8:30 a.m. Indian time within the premises of the Ayurvedic wellness facility, where he had been recuperating.

Medical staff on-site administered CPR immediately before rushing him to Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam, where he was pronounced dead at 9:52 a.m.

The hospital said Mr. Odinga, 80, had been under treatment for diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. A post-mortem examination is set to be conducted as part of routine medical and legal procedures.

According to Mathrubhumi.com, an Indian media outlet, Raila was at the Ayurvedic centre for rest and recovery following a mild stroke he suffered while in Kenya. A spokesperson for the hospital confirmed that he had been receiving regular care and was in the company of his family at the time.

The same hospital had previously treated his daughter, Rosemary Odinga, who regained her sight there after losing vision several years ago.

Indian authorities said information regarding Raila’s death had been relayed to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for official processing in accordance with international protocol.

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The Siaya County Government has announced the suspension of all official functions following the passing of Raila Amollo Odinga, describing the moment as one of profound loss and national grief.

Governor James Orengo said the circumstances necessitate a review of ongoing programmes, including the Siaya International Trade and Investment Conference (SITICO 2025).

“The circumstances dictate a review of the ongoing programme of the Siaya International Trade and Investment Conference. As such, all plenary sessions and side events are postponed to a later date, as we join the family and the nation in mourning our departed leader. We highly regret any inconvenience caused,” said Governor Orengo.

President William Ruto has declared seven days of national mourning in honour of the late Odinga, directing that the national flag fly at half-mast across the country and in Kenyan missions abroad.

Governor Orengo paid an emotional tribute, calling Raila Odinga a statesman whose legacy transcends politics.

“Words fail me to express the shock, deep sorrow and immeasurable grief at the news of the untimely passing of my brother, my friend, my party leader, a statesman and a towering figure of Kenya’s second liberation, and the driving force behind the realisation of the 2010 Constitution,” said Orengo.

He added, “Kenya has lost not just a politician but a revolutionary , a visionary and singular force whose shadow stretched across the most consequential five decades of our history. For the people of Siaya, the entire Luo Nyanza region, and the nation as a whole, we have lost our patriarch the symbol of resilience and a relentless champion of our political and economic rights.”

Further communication on the rescheduled dates for SITICO 2025 and other official engagements will be issued in due course.

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Former Vice President and Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has paid an emotional tribute to the late Raila Odinga, describing him as “the President who won but was never declared.”

In a heartfelt condolence message released from London, United Kingdom, where he is on a 10-day official visit, Kalonzo said he received the news of Raila’s passing upon arrival at Heathrow International Airport, calling it “devastating and deeply personal.”

“Raila Odinga, fondly referred to as ‘Baba’ by his supporters, was more than an enigma. He was a force of nature that kept going despite all the hurdles put in front of him,” Kalonzo said.

The former Vice President eulogized Raila as a patriot, pan-Africanist, and democrat who sacrificed his freedom and comfort for Kenya’s democracy. He recalled that Raila was the longest-serving political detainee in Kenya’s history, whose courage and resilience defined the nation’s struggle for multiparty democracy.

“At each point of release from detention, he would raise his arms to the heavens, his fist clenched in determination, resolved that the tears and scars he suffered would yield democracy and freedom for Kenya. That is why we call him the Champion of the Second Liberation,” Kalonzo wrote.

Kalonzo described their decades-long political partnership as one built on shared ideals and mutual respect. He recounted working closely with Raila as his running mate in the CORD and NASA coalitions, as well as a partner in the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition.

“We learnt a lot from each other and shared a lot of pain together,” he noted, adding that Raila’s role in championing the 2010 Constitution was “instrumental in devolving power from an imperial presidency to a people-centered constitutional order.”

In his message, Kalonzo also extended condolences to Mama Ida Odinga, and the entire Odinga family — Rosemary, Raila Junior, and Winnie — saying that the nation stands in solidarity with them.

“Kenya has lost an exemplary leader, the President who won but was never declared and sworn into office. The loss of Raila Odinga is not only a loss to his family and country, but also to the entire African continent,” Kalonzo said.

He further announced that he would rearrange his schedule in the UK to honor Raila’s memory and participate in the national mourning period once he returns to Kenya.

“I will miss my brother and friend dearly. May God rest the soul of Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga in everlasting peace,” Kalonzo concluded.

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President William Ruto has declared seven days of national mourning following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Addressing the Nation at State House, Nairobi, Ruto said that the national flag will fly at half-mast for the said period.

The head of state also revealed that Raila will be accorded a state funeral.

Ruto also announced that a team of Kenyan delegation, led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, will leave immediately for India to go and make arrangements for the repatriation of Raila’s body.

The repatriation, Ruto says, will be facilitated by the government of India.

According to reports, the former prime minister died on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in India, during a morning walk. Reports further indicate that Raila died from a heart attack.

According to http://mathrubhumi.com, an Indian outlet, Raila collapsed during a morning walk on Wednesday at 8:30 am, within the premises of the Ayurvedic facility.

It was reported that CPR was administered by the medical team on-site. He was rushed to Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam, where he was pronounced dead around 9.52 am Indian Time.

The news on the passing of Raila comes days after his elder brother Oburu Odinga confirmed that he was indeed sick and that he had been admitted for treatment in India.

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Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has died at the age of 80.

According to reports, the former prime minister died on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in India, during a morning walk. Reports further indicate that Raila died from a heart attack.

According to http://mathrubhumi.com, an Indian outlet, Raila collapsed during a morning walk on Wednesday at 8:30 am, within the premises of the Ayurvedic facility.

It was reported that CPR was administered by the medical team on-site. He was rushed to Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam, where he was pronounced dead around 9.52 am Indian Time.

The news on the passing of Raila comes days after his elder brother Oburu Odinga confirmed that he was indeed sick and that he had been admitted for treatment in India.

Oburu’s confirmation came days after Raila’s Secretariat came out strongly to dismiss rumors about the health of the former Prime Minister, terming the claims “malicious misinformation” driven by political rivals.

In a hard-hitting statement released on Sunday, Odinga’s Communications Director Dennis Onyango accused a faction led by impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, alongside Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa, of orchestrating a coordinated disinformation campaign.

“The political formation of impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his struggling team of Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa, among others, are on a familiar campaign of misinformation on the health of former Prime Minister and ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga,” Onyango stated.

He alleged that the group had co-opted sections of traditional media to amplify false reports originating from bloggers and even AI-generated images, portraying them as breaking news.

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The Raila Odinga Secretariat has come out strongly to dismiss rumors circulating online about the health of former Prime Minister and ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga, terming the claims “malicious misinformation” driven by political rivals.

In a hard-hitting statement released on Sunday, Odinga’s Communications Director Dennis Onyango accused a faction led by impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, alongside Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa, of orchestrating a coordinated disinformation campaign.

“The political formation of impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his struggling team of Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa, among others, are on a familiar campaign of misinformation on the health of former Prime Minister and ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga,” Onyango stated.

He alleged that the group had co-opted sections of traditional media to amplify false reports originating from bloggers and even AI-generated images, portraying them as breaking news.

According to Onyango, the rumors are a continuation of the same smear campaign waged against Odinga earlier this year during his bid for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission (AUC), to exploit Odinga’s popularity for political leverage.

“The misinformation is broadcast by the same team that went on a frenzy against Hon. Raila’s bid for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission earlier this year. Gachagua, Kalonzo & co have co-opted sections of the traditional media that are happily picking feeds from bloggers, including AI-generated images, and broadcasting them as some kind of investigative Breaking News,” the statement read.

“The hope of this team then and now is to bully Hon. Raila to provide a back for them to ride on in their struggle against President William Ruto.”

Raila’s whereabouts

Onyango clarified that Raila Odinga is in good health and recently travelled abroad on a private trip — one of several he has made this year. He dismissed claims that the ODM leader had been flown to Europe for medical reasons.

“The facts are as follows. Hon. Raila has a strong tradition of being open and generous with the country on matters of his health,” Onyango said.

He reminded Kenyans of Odinga’s consistent openness regarding his health in the past, citing public disclosures during his 2010 hospitalization as Prime Minister and his 2021 Covid-19 diagnosis while in the opposition.

“He told the country that he was undergoing a procedure when he was hospitalized as the sitting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya in June 2010. He told the country that he was diagnosed with COVID and hospitalized as the Opposition leader in 2021. He would do the same today were he to be in the health situation his opponents wish,” the statement read.

“Hon. Raila travelled out of the country on Friday evening – one of the many trips he has made this year, and definitely not the last. He definitely did not travel to Europe, as picked from bloggers and broadcast by some media houses. He is not indisposed, as prayed for by his frustrated opponents.”

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Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has sent a heartfelt condolence message to Mathare Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Anthony Oluoch following the death of his father, Mzee Charles Antony Ondiek.

Raila says the lawmaker’s father died after a 15-year battle with cancer.

In his message issued via the ODM official social media pages on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Raila described Mzee Ondiek as a towering pillar of the Kanyakwar community and the wider Kisumu County, recalling their time working together at the Kenya Bureau of Standards in the 1970s.

“Dear Antony, It is with great sorrow that I have learned of the passing of your beloved father. Mzee Charles Antony Ondiek, following a courageous 15-year battle with cancer. I know this is an incredibly painful loss to your family, and pray that you find the strength and comfort to endure this heartbreaking time,” Raila stated.

Raila went ahead to describe his relationship with Mzee Ondiek.

“I knew Mzee well, having worked with him at the Kenya Bureau of Standards in the 1970s, and Kanyakwar has indeed lost a towering pillar of the community, as has the greater Kisumu County. Please accept my deepest condolences, and kindly extend the same to your entire family, friends, and all those who were close to Mzee,” Raila’s message read.

“May the Almighty God be with you during this difficult time, and may Mzee’s soul rest in eternal peace.”

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Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Communications Director Philip Etale was unable to control his emotions after he viewed the body of Raila Odinga’s long-serving bodyguard, George Oduor.

Taking to his official X account on Thursday, April 3, 2025, Etale said that he broke down uncontrollably on viewing the late George Oduor’s body this morning at the morgue.

According to Etale, the pain of seeing Raila’s aide’s body was too much to bear, stating that the last time he had broken down in such a way was when his father died.

“Upon viewing my friend Georgie’s body at the morgue this morning, I broke down uncontrollably. The pain was too much. The last time I broke down like this was on January 28, 2018, when my father, Justus George Etale, died. Dear God, receive the soul of our brother George with love and forgiveness. Amen,” Etale said.

Oduor died on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, while undergoing treatment at a city hospital.

Raila has mourned his long-serving aide and bodyguard, George Oduor, in a heartfelt tribute.

Raila, in a statement shared via his official social media accounts, mourned George Oduor as a dependable rock.

This, Raila says, is not only to him but also to the larger Jaramogi Oginga Odinga family.

The former prime minister described George Oduor, who passed on Wednesday, April 2, as someone who was always vigilant and extremely professional in discharging his duties, noting that he will dearly miss him.

“George has been a part of Jaramogi’s and my family since the late 80’s. We have stood, fallen, and risen together. He has been a vigilant, calm, confident, and extremely professional aide dedicated to duty and a dependable rock on my side all these years through tumultuous periods. I will miss George, and I am sorry to the myriad friends who miss him already,” Raila said.

George Oduor died on Wednesday while undergoing treatment at a city hospital.

“To his wife, Carol George, entire family, colleagues, and friends, I offer Mama Ida’s and the entire Jaramogi family’s sincere condolences at this devastating loss. May the almighty rest his soul in eternal peace.”

The late Oduor started working with Raila’s father, Mzee Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, in the late 1980s and joined Raila’s team after the death of Jaramogi in 1994.

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Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has mourned his long-serving aide and bodyguard George Oduor in a heartfelt tribute.

Raila, in a statement shared via his official social media accounts, mourned George Oduor as a dependable rock.

This, Raila says, is not only to him but also to the larger Jaramogi Oginga Odinga family.

The former Prime Ministee described George Oduor, who passed on Wednesday, April 2, as someone who was always vigilant and extremely professional in discharging his duties, noting that he will dearly miss him.

“George has been a part of Jaramogi’s and my family since the late 80’s. We have stood, fallen, and risen together. He has been a vigilant, calm, confident, and extremely professional aide dedicated to duty and dependable rock on my side all these years through tumultuous periods. I will miss George, and I am sorry to the myriad friends who miss him already,” Raila said.

George Oduor died on Wednesday while undergoing treatment at a city hospital.

“To his wife, Carol George, entire family, colleagues, and friends, I offer Mama Ida’s and the entire Jaramogi family’s sincere condolences at this devastating loss. May the almighty rest his soul in eternal peace.”

The late Oduor started working with Raila’s father, Mzee Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, in the late 1980s and joined Raila’s team after the death of Jaramogi in 1994.

Oduor is also said to have been a police reservist and attended VIP protection training locally and internationally.

Although not much is known about Oduor’s personal life, he has been the most visible of Raila’s security detail.

Several leaders allied to Raila, including Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir and his Siaya counterpart James Orengo, have also sent messages of condolence to the family of Oduor and the former Prime Minister for their loss.

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Just days after Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga entered into a deal with President William Ruto, he has issued fresh demands.

Raila on Tuesday, March 11, hit out at Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration for what he argued was failing to resolve several issues affecting Kenyans.

Speaking during a funeral service in Kiambu County, Raila faulted Ruto for poor governance, failing to address the challenges in the Social Health Authority (SHA), and imposing high taxes on Kenyans, including the Housing Levy, which he now says the head of state must address.

“I have told Ruto that SHA has a problem; it must be corrected. The taxes being imposed on Kenyans are also high, especially one on the houses,” he said.

Raila on deal with Ruto

Raila also dismissed claims that he has abandoned Kenyans to join and support Ruto.

According to him, he never approached the head of state for a deal, and that his stance remains the same.

The 2022 Azimio presidential flag bearer says it is Ruto who approached him.

“I have heard people saying that I have joined President William Ruto. I want to say that I never approached Ruto; it was Ruto who approached me. My stand remains the same,” Raila said.

Raila went ahead to claim that the Kenya Kwanza administration has developed a cold feet, prompting them to approach him for support.

According to Raila, the 10 point-agenda in the deal signed between him and Ruto is just a chance for the Kenya Kwanza administration to redeem themselves, by fulfilling the issues raised in the joint working framework agreement.

“These guys have caught cold feet and come to us, that’s why I’ve given them the ten agendas you saw. Those are the things we were always asking for and they’ve said they will fulfill them. We will give them an opportunity to work on those things,” Raila said.

ODM-UDA deal

On Friday, March 7, 2025, President Ruto and Raila signed a joint working framework agreement aimed at establishing collaboration between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party in government.

The agreement, titled “Understanding to Resolve the Social and Political Challenges Facing Kenyans,” seeks to address ten key issues affecting the Kenyan population.

This pact aims to expedite the full implementation of the NADCO report, promote inclusivity in public life, strengthen devolution, protect the livelihoods of young people, uphold leadership and integrity, safeguard the right to peaceful assembly and protest, tackle the national debt, combat corruption, eliminate public resource wastage, enhance government efficiency, and protect the sovereignty of the people, the rule of law, and constitutionalism.

However, the pact has attracted criticism from a section of Kenyans and leaders, some of whom have viewed it as a betrayal.

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President William Ruto has officially launched Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga’s bid for African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship bid.

The event that was held at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, was attended by East African Heads of States, who included Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan, South Sudan’s Salva Kiir and representatives from Rwanda and Burundi.

Raila has promised to tackle several issues in Africa, should he manage to clinch the role of AUC Chairmanship.

Here are some of the issues Raila has promised to tackle.

Agricultural Transformation

Raila has pledged to promote market access within the continent and value addition in Africa’s agricultural and aquaculture sectors.

He has also promised to promote sustainable food production, agribusiness and the modernisation of agriculture to reinforce food security, to foster job creation and enhance rural livelihoods.

Gender Equality And Equality

Raila says throughout his life, he has been an indefatigable champion of the rights of women and girls. As Chairperson of AUC, he says he will prioritise opportunity, dignity, and security for women and girls across the continent.

Make Africa people-centred

During the official launch of his AUC bid, Raila said he plans to work with African Heads of States and make the African Union (AU) more people-centered and serve the interests of the voiceless majority of Africans.

Raila promises a united Africa characterised by peace, prosperity and sustainable progress.

Enhancing Intra- African Trade

Raila has pledged to advocate for open skies, visa policy harmonization, and infrastructure development to facilitate seamless connectivity and movement of goods and peoples across Africa.

According to Raila, overcoming these barriers will spur economic growth and position Africa as a global economic player and leader.

Continental Integration

Raila says he will support Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and drive implementation of initiatives to enhance continental unity and prosperity.

Financial Independence

Raila has pledged to advocate for the reform of the global financial architecture to ensure Africa’s equitable participation in global economic decisions.

He has also pledged to rally AU Member States and engage the private sector to finance AU priorities, ensuring sustainable development and delivery on continental goals.

Peace And Security

Raila has pledged to prioritize conflict prevention and resolution and work with African leaders across the continent to address the root causes of instability, and promote functional institutions to create a conducive environment for Africa’s development and prosperity.

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Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga has stepped forward with a compassionate donation of Kshs. 1 million to aid the victims of the tragic Embakasi gas plant explosion.

The explosion, which occurred in the Mradi area of Embakasi East on Thursday night, claimed three lives and left over 270 people injured.

Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, took to social media to announce the gracious gesture from Raila Odinga.

According to Owino, the leader of the Azimio coalition sent the funds on Saturday morning, just a day after the devastating incident.

“I received 1 million Kenya Shillings from H.E Baba Raila Amolo Odinga this morning to help the fire victims. In addition, I have donated an extra 1 million shillings towards this noble cause, totaling 2 million shillings. Other Azimio Leaders are also contributing towards this. God bless Kenya, and please pray for Embakasi East,” Babu Owino tweeted.

The Embakasi East MP expressed his commitment to supporting the victims and revealed that other leaders affiliated with the Azimio la Umoja coalition party are also actively contributing to the cause.

The tragedy has sparked a nationwide outcry, with many questioning the safety measures surrounding the licensing of the gas plant within a residential area.

President William Ruto has responded swiftly, ordering the immediate arrest and prosecution of all officials involved in issuing the licenses to the gas plant.

The additional 1 million Kenyan Shillings donated by Babu Owino, combined with Raila Odinga’s initial contribution, brings the total relief fund to 2 million shillings.

The funds are expected to provide much-needed assistance to the affected families and aid in their recovery from this devastating incident.

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