Raila Odinga's family calls for political ceasefire ahead of first anniversary

The family of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has called for a political ceasefire ahead of the first anniversary of his death, inviting Kenyans and leaders across the political divide to set aside their differences and honour his memory.

Speaking on Wednesday during the handover and dedication of Raila’s mausoleum at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County, East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga said the October 15 memorial should bring together people from different political parties, ethnic communities and countries who shared different chapters of her father’s life.

Winnie said the family was not asking those attending the memorial to abandon their political beliefs, but urged them to leave political rivalry outside the commemoration.

“On October 15th, we have invited people of different political inclinations, from different tribes and communities, from neighbouring countries and beyond, to join us in celebrating the memory of Baba,” she said.

“These people shared different chapters of Baba’s life, they’re welcome to honour him with us together. We may hold different political convictions, we may disagree strongly about the direction of our country, but you are welcome here. Nobody is being asked to surrender their beliefs at the gate.”

Winnie said the family wanted the anniversary to remain a day of remembrance and celebration, warning political leaders against turning the occasion into a contest over crowds, popularity or political influence.

“As his family, we call for a political ceasefire in his honour,” she said.

“Please let the 15th be a day of remembrance and celebration; it should not become a political showground or competition over who owns the crowd, who receives the loudest cheers, or who can embarrass another guest.”

Winnie said an event meant to honour Raila should not become a source of anxiety for political leaders who may hold opposing views.

“An invitation to remember your friend and leader should not become a reason to fear humiliation,” she said.

She said Raila understood that political convictions and personal relationships could coexist, recalling instances when members of his family would remain angry with people they believed had wronged him, only to discover that he had already reconciled with them.

“Dad (Raila) understood that strong convictions and human relationships could live together, although those of us around him sometimes needed a little more time to catch up,” Winnie said.

“You’d be very annoyed with someone on his behalf, defending him, refusing to even greet them, preparing a very strong argument, and then discover he had already had tea with them in another place. Now you’re the one who is causing problems, when he had already moved on, you’re still working with yesterday’s instructions.”

She cited Raila’s relationship with the late retired President Daniel arap Moi as perhaps the clearest example of the late former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader’s ability to reconcile with political opponents despite a difficult history.

“For our family, the history was painful. There were years of detention; years when mum was raising children while wondering whether her husband would come back; years of absence that no later conversation could give back,” she said.

Raila was detained without trial for nearly eight years following the 1982 attempted coup and became one of the prominent figures in Kenya’s struggle for multiparty democracy.

Winnie said the eventual reconciliation between Raila and Moi demonstrated that acknowledging past injustices did not have to prevent people from moving forward.

“Yet, in time, Baba and Moi found a way to speak again. They made peace and they worked together. Imagine entering that conversation with everything that you remember – 8 years in solitary confinement, no mattress, not even a blanket – and you still go and shake the hand of that person,” she stated.

Winnie said her father’s experience offered a lesson in how Kenyans could deal with political and personal differences without allowing past disagreements to permanently define relationships.

“For me the lesson is that you can remember what happened, hold firmly to what you believe, and still leave the door open,” she said.

Raila died on October 15, 2025, aged 80, while receiving medical treatment in India. He was later buried at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, where the mausoleum dedicated to him and his father, Kenya’s first Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, now stands.

President William Ruto on Wednesday formally unveiled and dedicated Raila’s mausoleum at Kang’o ka Jaramogi, in a ceremony attended by members of the Odinga family, government officials and other dignitaries.

The family-led memorial on October 15 will form part of a month-long programme marking Raila’s first death anniversary.

The main public commemoration is scheduled for Migwena Cultural Sports Ground in Bondo and is open to mourners from across the country and beyond.

“Nobody is being asked to surrender their beliefs at the gate,” Winnie added.