Ruto honours Raila posthumously with Kenya’s highest civilian award, Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (CGH)
Ruto hailed Raila as one of the principal architects of Kenya’s modern democratic order whose contribution will remain engraved in the country’s history.
President William Ruto has posthumously conferred the country’s highest civilian honour, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (CGH), on the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga in recognition of his lifelong service to the nation.
In a proclamation read during Mashujaa Day celebrations on Monday in Kitui, President Ruto said the award symbolised the country’s gratitude for Raila’s decades-long fight for democracy, justice and equitable development.
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He hailed Raila as one of the principal architects of Kenya’s modern democratic order whose contribution will remain engraved in the country’s history.
“The Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga dedicated the entirety of his adult life to the pursuit of justice, freedom and the equitable development of Kenya and advancement of her people,” read part of the proclamation in a special gazette notice.
"On behalf of a grateful nation, and through the authority vested in me as President, I have today posthumously conferred upon the Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga the highest honour of the Republic, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (C.G.H.)."
The statement described Raila as a man of courage and endurance who remained committed to democratic ideals, good governance and Pan-African unity, both in and outside government.
Throughout his public life, Raila served as a university lecturer, Member of Parliament for two decades, Cabinet Minister, and as the country’s second Prime Minister.
He also played the role of a unifying figure and was regarded as the de facto Leader of the Official Opposition.
President Ruto said Raila’s towering legacy would continue to inspire generations of Kenyans and Africans to uphold the values of justice and service to humanity.
“In the passing of the Former Prime Minister, Kenya, Africa, and the World have lost a statesman of rare moral courage, a visionary patriot, a unifier of the people and a champion of justice whose name will forever be etched in the annals of our Republic,” the proclamation stated.
The President said the award was a gesture of the nation’s profound respect and gratitude for Raila’s extraordinary contribution and the indelible mark he left on Kenya’s political and social fabric.
“On behalf of the Government and People of Kenya, it is my profound honour to inscribe his name among the foremost of our national heroes,” Ruto declared.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was laid to rest on Sunday evening at Kang'o Ka Jaramogi, his ancestral home in Bondo, Siaya County, in a solemn and symbolic ceremony that brought together national leaders, family, and several mourners allowed at the private ceremony.
Raila, who died on Wednesday, October 15, in India, was buried in his trademark hat, commonly referred to as 'Ogudu' in the Luo language and 'whisk' or 'Orengo', in what was a symbolic gesture to highlight his influence as per Luo traditions.
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