At Nyayo Stadium on Friday, Rosemary Odinga stood before a nation in mourning and spoke from the heart. Her words, heavy with emotion, painted a portrait not just of a political icon but of a father deeply loved and sorely missed.
“I remember I had just finished my breakfast and was seated at the table when Junior called me,” she began, her voice steady but tinged with pain.
“He asked me where I was, and I told him I was at the table. Then he told me to sit down. I wondered, ‘Do I sit on the table, on the floor? What does he mean?’ I was so confused,” she said, recalling the surreal moment before her younger brother, Raila Junior, told her the news that would change her life forever.
“He then told me our father was no longer with us. Until today, there’s a lot of pain we feel as a family.”
The revelation was devastating, she said — a moment of disbelief that shattered the morning calm. “Today is a very painful day for me,” she told mourners. “And I know it is painful for all of you as well. But we as a family have come to mourn together, and we will continue to stand together.”
A Father, a Teacher, a Friend
Rosemary described her father, the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, as a man whose public courage was matched only by his warmth at home.
To the nation, he was “Baba” — the symbol of resistance, reform, and reconciliation. To his daughter, he was a confidant, a mentor, and a constant presence.
“You were my confidant, my adviser, and my dear friend,” she said. “You had a way of sharing advice and lessons without making them sound like lectures. You taught me to sharpen my ideas, to think deeply, to question, and to stand firm for what I believe in.”
Her eulogy offered a rare glimpse into Raila’s private side — the quiet moments behind the public persona. She spoke of his patience, his humour, and his ability to listen, even when the world around him demanded his attention.
Lessons of Love and Forgiveness
Rosemary reflected on the values her father instilled in her and her siblings — compassion, humility, and the courage to forgive.
“Through your example, I learned forgiveness — that healing comes not from holding on, but from letting go and choosing peace,” she said. “You lived your truth with openness and tolerance, reminding us that Kenya’s strength is in her many voices.”
Her words resonated deeply with the crowd, many of whom have followed Raila’s political journey for decades — a journey marked by imprisonment, resilience, and an unwavering belief in a better Kenya.
A Promise to Carry the Legacy Forward
As she concluded, Rosemary’s voice softened, but her resolve was clear.
“I will forever honour your legacy. I will carry your memories and values with me and promise to live a life that will make you proud. Everything I do, I will do it for you. Your memory will forever be my treasure. Until we meet again.”
Her eulogy drew murmurs and chants from the audience, a mix of sorrow and solidarity that rippled through the stadium.
It was not just the farewell of a daughter to her father — it was the closing of a chapter in Kenya’s history, one marked by struggle, sacrifice, and enduring love.