Raila Odinga’s life offers five key lessons to guide Kenya’s future - President Ruto

President William Ruto has called on Kenyans to draw inspiration from the life and leadership of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, saying his enduring legacy offers five powerful lessons that should guide the nation’s future.

Speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations, Ruto described Raila as a “towering statesman, a resolute patriot, and a true Pan-Africanist” whose lifelong service embodied courage, unity, and unwavering love for Kenya.

Ruto began his address by inviting the nation to observe a moment of silence in Raila’s honour, dedicating this year’s Mashujaa Day to the late leader.

“We dedicate this Mashujaa Day to Raila Amolo Odinga, the man, the legend, and the Pan-Africanist whose life defined selfless service,” he said.

The president said Raila’s life offered Kenyans five key lessons: placing country above self, loving Kenya unconditionally, prioritising unity and collaboration, upholding national cohesion, and maintaining faith in the future.

1. Putting country above self

Ruto said Raila’s first and most profound lesson was putting Kenya before personal ambition.

He recalled how Raila often reminded leaders that “no disagreement is greater than our unity, no ambition more important than our peace, and no personal interest higher than the welfare of our nation.”

He noted that Raila’s decision to work with political rivals was rooted in his belief that Kenya’s stability was paramount.

“When others sought to bring down their opponents even if it meant destroying the country, Baba chose Kenya’s stability,” Ruto said. “For him, leadership was not about pride but about preserving the Republic.”

2. Unconditional love for Kenya

Ruto described Raila’s love for the country as deep and unwavering, saying he was devoted to Kenya despite its imperfections.

“He once said that if God asked where he would want to be born again, he would choose Kenya without hesitation,” the president recalled. Raila, he said, believed that even amid challenges, Kenya was a nation full of promise, beauty, and hope.

3. Choosing unity over division

The president said Raila’s third lesson was about always choosing the common good. He praised the late leader for setting aside political differences to help steer the country through turbulent times.

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“When our nation faced turbulence last year, he was the first to come to the table to steady the ship,” Ruto said, referring to Raila’s role in supporting the formation of a broad-based government.

Raila, he added, believed that collaboration was not a political convenience but a sacred duty to prosperity.

“For him, it was never about becoming president but about ensuring Kenya had a good president and moved towards becoming a first-world nation,” Ruto said.

4. Championing national unity

Ruto hailed Raila as a tireless preacher of national unity who believed that Kenya’s true identity was not defined by tribe or region.

“He often told us to think of Kenya first,” Ruto said. “When he declared ‘Kibaki Tosha’ in 2002, it was not about ethnicity but about putting Kenya above all else.”

The President warned that allowing divisions based on hate and sectarian interests would dishonour Raila’s legacy, saying: “It would be a desecration of his legacy if we allowed ourselves to be divided by those who see nothing good about Kenya.”

5. Faith in the future

The president said Raila’s final lesson was one of unshakable optimism. Despite imprisonment, persecution, and political defeat, Raila remained hopeful about Kenya’s destiny.

“He believed that Kenya’s best days were ahead,” Ruto said. “His optimism was not naivety,  it was courage in motion.”

Ruto concluded that the nation must carry forward Raila’s spirit of resilience, unity, and belief in a better Kenya.

“No setback is final, no dream too distant, and no obstacle insurmountable when a people are united by purpose,” he said.