Behind the fiery speeches, mass rallies, and decades-long political battles, Raila Amollo Odinga was, above all else, a family man.

To the public, he was Baba — the indomitable opposition leader who carried the hopes of millions. But at home, among his wife Ida and their children, he was simply “Papa,” a loving patriarch whose presence filled the room with laughter and wisdom.

Born into the political legacy of his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Raila grew up understanding both the power and burden of leadership. Yet those close to him say his truest joy was not in politics, but in family.

“He was the pillar of our home,” his wife, Dr Ida Odinga, once said in an interview. “Even with his busy schedule, he always made time for us — for meals, for conversation, for prayer.”

Married for more than 50 years, Raila and Ida built a partnership grounded in mutual respect and shared purpose. Together they weathered detentions, political persecution, and public scrutiny — moments that tested but never broke their bond.

When Raila was imprisoned in the 1980s, Ida became the family’s steady anchor, raising their children — Fidel, Rosemary, Raila Jr, and Winnie — while advocating quietly for her husband’s release. Their love story became one of endurance and loyalty in the face of adversity.

At home, Raila was known for his warmth and humour. He enjoyed storytelling, traditional Luo meals, and evenings spent with his grandchildren. Family members recall his love for football and his delight in sharing folk tales from his youth in Bondo.

“He was never too important to sit on the floor and play with his grandchildren,” said a close family friend. “For him, family was where life made sense.”

Even in politics, his family remained at the heart of his motivation. He often credited his wife and children for grounding him amid the storms of public life. “Without Ida,” he once remarked, “I could not have walked this long road.”

The Odinga home in Karen was more than a residence; it was a place of counsel, laughter, and unity — where leaders came seeking wisdom, and grandchildren found stories and songs.

As Kenya remembers Raila Odinga, tributes continue to pour in not just for the politician, but for the husband, father, and grandfather whose love and faith held his family — and often the nation — together.