Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has delivered a heartfelt message mourning the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
In an emotional tribute on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, Kenya’s fourth president described Raila’s passing as a deeply personal loss.
“My heart is heavy, and my spirit is burdened with a grief that is both profound and deeply personal. The news of Raila’s passing has left a silence that echoes across our nation, a silence where once there was a voice of thunder and conviction. I have lost a friend and a brother. I will miss our conversations, sometimes challenging, always insightful, and the fire of belief that never left his eyes,” Uhuru said.
In his eulogy, Uhuru reflected on their journey from political rivals to partners in unity and national healing. He recalled how their historic handshake on March 9, 2018, at Harambee House transformed years of hostility into a powerful symbol of reconciliation and patriotism.
“To me, Raila was more than a political colleague; he was a defining part of my own journey, in public service and in life. Raila and I were navigators on opposing currents, charting different courses for the nation we both loved. At some point along that journey, we became political opponents, and often, the weight of that competition felt immense.
“Baba, as we fondly referred to him, was a man who made you sharpen your own ideas, compelling you to defend your positions with rigour and passion. However, in recent years, a different bond was forged: one of respect, of shared patriotism, and of a common desire to see a united Kenya,” he added.
Uhuru joined other leaders in sending his deepest condolences to Raila Odinga’s family as they mourned the loss of a man he described as a national icon.
“To Mama Ida, the children, and the entire Odinga family, I extend my deepest, most heartfelt condolences. You have shared Baba with Kenya for a lifetime, and we mourn with you,” he said.
“We have lost a father to the nation, a steadfast champion for the people, and a true son of Kenya. His legacy is not just in the political battles he fought but in the peace he helped build. It is etched in the very fabric of our nation. Rest in peace, my brother. Your work here is done, but your echo will never fade.”
