‘The spirit of the lion roars on’ - Winnie Odinga's emotional farewell to Raila
"The biggest part of me died on October 15, 2025, but the Spirit of the Lion roars on forever. The King is dead, but long live the crown!"
I don’t know who I’ll miss more: My dad or my Superhero. I am the luckiest girl in the world, because you are my Dad. Only three other human beings were as lucky as me. Fidel, Rozzy and Junior.
Dad, you were a light — steady, unyielding and deeply human. To the world, you were known by many names (you also gave almost everyone you met a nickname, too), but to me, you were simply Dad, a man whose presence froze rooms around the world.
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Our home was the vitendawili testing ground, filled with trivia; quizzes that challenged the four of us, in a good way… sometimes.
When I learnt that you willed to be buried in 72 hours, I laughed, “Good old Dad! Testing and planning for us beyond the grave!” I can see you now, laughing in your heaving manner, knowing that your wish will be done.
To my fellow mourners, I learned from him that love for country is not just in words, but in sacrifice. That justice must be pursued even when the path is lonely.
That true leadership is service — not power. Millions of you are in despair, but take heart, because he left a plan for you, too.
He led all of us, he taught us, he carried us, we know what he expects from all of us, and we shall rise together in his honour. I watched him at his best, I watched him fall and rise again — each time with grace, forgiveness and hope.
He taught us that defeat is not failure; that conviction is not arrogance, and that peace is always greater than pride. At home, he was gentle and humorous — he loved storytelling, music and the simple joy of family.
Ask his grandchildren in the front; I started getting sidelined for holidays. I’d just wake up and see Baba in Kasarani with Saphie or Malindi with Senayi, or insisting the Captain must land the plane with Laiyon at the cockpit.
He loved Saphie, Allay, Senayi Laiyon and Jara with all his heart, and he sang his love to his grandchildren time and again. Even in the busiest moments of national duty, he would send me to check on all of you.
I now know it was to remind us to stay grounded, for me to teach you how to dream boldly, and to always stand firm for what is right. Today, as we celebrate his life, I choose to remember not only the leader the world knew, but the father I loved with every fibre of my being.
The biggest part of me died on October 15, 2025, but the Spirit of the Lion roars on forever. The King is dead, but long live the crown!
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