Memories of Raila: Inside Kang'o ka Jaramogi nine months after Baba died

What started as a bad rumour quickly became reality. Social media was boiling with word about the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who was in India receiving treatment.

Days before, politicians, especially from the opposition, had taken to podiums to declare that Raila was unwell, and wanted the family and the government to tell the nation the truth.

While some believed them, others dismissed their rhetoric. But on that Wednesday morning when word went round, reality started hitting home.

Soon, the news was out that indeed Raila had passed away.

When he quietly left the country for India, he was full of energy. He had convened a top ODM meeting to plan for the party's 20th anniversary celebrations in Mombasa, where he was expected to attend upon his return from abroad.

The country was thrown into national mourning, with the government taking over his burial arrangements and declaring that he would be accorded a state funeral.

This was in honour of his legacy as a proponent of modern-day democracy in Africa.

Raila had seen it all, fought for better leadership, opposed oppression and advocated for democratic rights and spaces for all.

He had asked to be buried within 72 hours. And indeed the family and state honoured his wish.

The government immediately dispatched a high-level delegation to India to repatriate his remains. Back home, plans began in earnest to meet his wish. 

Kenyans, in thousands, took to the streets and social media to mourn the man they fondly referred to as Baba. On the day his remains touched down at the JKIA, the roads were impassable, Kasarani Stadium became a stampede, people died. 

In Kisumu, mourning continued. The streets were sorrowful, homesteads were sad. 

At his final resting place in Bondo, Siaya County, nothing like that had ever happened before.

He was their son, their pride, their leader, their spirit. Preparations were in high gear to lay him beside his late father, Mzee Jaramogi Oginga, the first vice president of Kenya.

Kang'o Ka Jaramogi became a national monument after Raila's burial. Kenyans in millions continued to troop in to pay homage and their last respects. 

Nine months down the line, they still do. Have the residents moved on? Have his political supporters moved on? No.

Mzee Olang'o Nyabola, his closest friend, says he has endured sleepless nights since Raila died.

"We are hopeless," he says.

His sentiments are a representation of what everyone feels in Nyamira village where Kang'o Ka Jaramogi lies. 

"Raila stood for something; Raila was a spirit. Raila wanted the best for this country, always," he adds.

Several kilometres away in Kajiado County, a local sculptor has built a statue for Raila Odinga. With the family and state now building him a mausoleum back in Bondo, Cleophas Mandela hopes the statue will be placed at the mausoleum.

"We though this is the right time to continue with his legacy. We want many more generations to remember and appreciate Raila Odinga through our work," Mandela says.

His ODM party seems to be going through a rough ride. Edwin Sifuna, who worked closely with Raila, has been kicked out as ODM Secretary General. He is now charting his own way under the Linda Mwananchi umbrella. 

ODM has vowed to support President William Ruto's re-election in 2027. At the same time, they want the Deputy President seat currently occupied by Kithure Kindiki.

So much has happened nine months after Raila died.