Iddah Odinga,the widow of the late Raila Odinga
By Peter Mwibanda
For The Intellectuals post.
NAIROBI, Kenya (IP)
A wave of sorrow swept across the nation this week as thousands of mourners gathered to bid farewell to Raila Amolo Odinga.
The man many fondly called “Baba” — was a towering political figure whose life of service reshaped Kenya’s democratic journey.
From presidents and dignitaries to farmers and students, people from all walks of life turned up in their thousands to pay final respects .
It is what is now being remembered as “Baby’s Last Lap” — the final chapter in the life of a man whose legacy continues to inspire hope, unity and resolve.
A Life Defined by Sacrifice and Struggle
Raila Odinga, who died at [insert date and age], was a symbol of Kenya’s turbulent yet determined march toward democracy.
For more than four decades, he stood at the frontlines of resistance, reform, and reconciliation.
From being jailed during the single-party era to forging peace deals in later years, Odinga was both a symbol of defiance and a messenger of peace.
At a national memorial service held in Nairobi, President [Insert Name] described Odinga as “a true patriot, a man who put country above self and whose fight for freedom remains unmatched in our nation’s political history.”
International tributes poured in, with leaders across Africa and beyond lauding his unyielding commitment to people-centered leadership, multiparty democracy, and national cohesion.
A Unifying Force in Polarized Times
Despite being a polarizing figure in political contests, Raila was widely respected for his role in uniting the country during moments of national crisis.
“Even when he lost, he led with dignity. Even when he disagreed, he always sought peace,” said one speaker during the emotional tribute in Kisumu, Odinga’s political heartland. “He reminded us that Kenya is bigger than any one tribe, party, or politician.”
His famed 2018 handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta — a move that stunned the nation and calmed post-election tensions — remains one of the most iconic moments in Kenya’s modern political narrative.
Family Vows to Uphold His Legacy
As the nation mourns, the Odinga family has pledged to protect and preserve the ideals Raila stood for: democracy, justice, and unity.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mama Ida Odinga said, “We may have lost a husband, a father, and a friend, but Kenya has lost a conscience.
It is now up to us — his family, his supporters, and this nation — to carry forward the torch he lit.”
The Odinga children also echoed her message, affirming their commitment to continuing their father’s legacy of inclusive leadership and fearless advocacy for national peace.
A Country Pauses, A Legacy Begins Anew
As his body made its final journey through the streets of Nairobi and into the heart of Nyanza, emotional scenes unfolded — songs, tears, and silence filling the air in equal measure.
A man whose voice once roared in Parliament, protests and peace talks, now departed in dignified silence — leaving behind a void impossible to fill and a vision too important to forget.
In the words etched on many placards and posters along the procession: “You fought for us. We will fight for your dream.”
From the battlefields of politics to the corridors of peace, Baba’s last lap was not one of defeat — but of triumph, transformation, and timeless service.
END
The intellectuals post
