Bondo, Kenya – October 20, 2025
When the late Raila Odinga was laid to rest in his ancestral home in Bondo, Siaya County, one unexpected guest captured the nation’s attention — Elizabeth Macheka, the widow of Zimbabwe’s former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
Macheka’s presence at the funeral, both dignified and understated, stirred curiosity and admiration among Kenyans, many of whom were unaware of her close ties to the Odinga family.
A Bond Beyond Borders
Macheka first appeared publicly in Kenya on Saturday, October 18, accompanying Mama Ida Odinga for a press briefing at the Odinga family’s Opoda Farm. Dressed simply in a long black gown, she stood by the grieving widow, offering quiet solidarity.
“Our families have shared a bond that goes beyond politics,” Macheka said softly during her visit. “My late husband and Raila were brothers in the struggle — men of courage who believed in democracy and justice for all.”
That gesture of cross-border kinship resonated deeply. When she attended Raila’s burial the next day, her poised elegance became a talking point both at the ceremony and online.
An Effortless Elegance
On Sunday, Macheka arrived at the burial grounds in a sleek, body-hugging black gown paired with matching heels, a fascinator, and dark sunglasses. A hint of red lipstick and delicate jewellery completed her look — tasteful, respectful, and quietly commanding.
Photos of her soon flooded social media. Many Kenyans praised her for embodying grace amid grief. “She looked like class itself,” one user posted on X. “Understated yet unforgettable.”
Who Is Elizabeth Macheka?
Born in 1976, Elizabeth Macheka is the daughter of Joseph Macheka, a long-time ZANU–PF politician and former mayor of Chitungwiza, near Harare. Despite her political lineage, she carved her own path as a businesswoman, building ventures in retail and catering.
Her name, however, became widely known in 2012, when she married Morgan Tsvangirai, the former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe and opposition leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Their marriage, celebrated in Harare, drew headlines across Southern Africa. Tsvangirai was 60; Macheka, 35. The Catholic Church declined to officiate the ceremony, citing disputes over Tsvangirai’s prior relationships. Undeterred, the couple proceeded with a traditional customary wedding.
Political and social critics questioned the union — some alleging she was a “plant” from the ruling party, given her father’s ZANU–PF ties. But Macheka weathered the storm, standing beside Tsvangirai through years of political turbulence until his death from colon cancer in 2018.
Life After Tsvangirai
Since her husband’s passing, Macheka has lived largely away from the spotlight. She runs several private businesses and occasionally makes public appearances to commemorate Tsvangirai’s legacy.
On social media, she shares glimpses of her quieter life — moments with family, her pet dogs, golf outings, and occasional reflections on love, loss, and leadership.
Those who know her describe her as warm but fiercely private — qualities that perhaps explain why her appearance in Kenya struck such a chord.
“Elizabeth didn’t just show up looking elegant,” said a Kenyan observer at the Bondo event. “She came to honour a friendship that spanned nations — and that meant something.”
A Symbol of Shared Struggles
For many, her presence was more than fashion — it symbolised a bond between two African reformers who dreamed of freer, fairer nations.
Raila Odinga and Morgan Tsvangirai — one Kenyan, one Zimbabwean — were united by parallel journeys: long years in opposition, personal sacrifice, and enduring faith in democracy.
In paying her respects, Elizabeth Macheka reminded mourners that some friendships — and some legacies — reach beyond borders, politics, and even death.
