Bondo, Kenya — Former President Uhuru Kenyatta made a private visit to Raila Odinga’s grave in Bondo on Monday morning, a day after the former Prime Minister was laid to rest.

Arriving quietly at the Odinga family home in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Mr Kenyatta was received by close family members before walking alone to the fresh grave. The atmosphere was solemn, the mood heavy with emotion.

In a brief moment captured on video, the former president stood in silence, his head bowed in prayer. At one point, he reached out towards the grave before folding his hands together and remaining still — a gesture of respect for a man with whom he had shared both rivalry and reconciliation.

Mr Kenyatta’s visit, unannounced and understated, carried deep symbolic meaning. The two men, once political adversaries, had turned allies after their 2018 “handshake” — a moment that reshaped Kenya’s political climate and helped calm post-election tensions.

“They disagreed, they reconciled, and they showed the country what unity looks like,” said a family member present during the visit, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the privacy of the occasion.

Raila Odinga, Kenya’s longest-serving opposition figure and a defining voice in its democratic journey, was buried on Sunday at his ancestral home in Siaya County.

The burial, attended by President William Ruto, senior government officials, and leaders from across Africa, drew thousands of mourners. Many surged past tight security barriers after the casket was lowered, determined to glimpse the final resting place of a man many saw as a symbol of defiance and hope.

Witnesses described a scene of raw emotion — mourners crying openly, singing liberation songs, and waving twigs in farewell. Security forces from the Kenya Defence Forces and National Police Service struggled briefly to contain the crowds.

Mr Kenyatta remained at the home after most dignitaries had departed, joining the Odinga family in a quieter moment of mourning. His presence, those close to the family said, reflected both friendship and respect.

“Uhuru and Raila had their differences, but what they shared was a deep belief in Kenya,” said a long-time associate of both men. “This visit was not about politics — it was personal.”

As Kenya continues to mourn, scenes from Bondo have offered a glimpse of how deeply Raila Odinga’s life and legacy touched the nation — not just as a politician, but as a man who inspired loyalty, controversy, and enduring affection.