Mama Ida calls for calm, urges Kenyans to mourn Raila peacefully and respectfully
Speaking during a press briefing at the family’s Opoda Farm in Bondo, Siaya County, Mama Ida expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming messages of condolence she has received from Kenyans and the international community.
Ida Odinga, wife to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has appealed to mourners to remain peaceful and respectful as the nation continues to mourn the death of her husband.
Speaking during a press briefing at the family’s Opoda Farm in Bondo, Siaya County, Mama Ida expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming messages of condolence she has received from Kenyans and the international community.
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“I’d like to say a few things about the situation that we found ourselves in today. None of us knew that the time had come for my dear husband, Raila Amolo Odinga, to leave us. But since the time has come, we have to deal with it the way it is,” she said.
Mama Ida implored mourners to uphold calm and dignity throughout the funeral proceedings, emphasising that this is a solemn occasion, not a time for confusion or unrest.
“One thing I know is that Raila stood for and kept on repeating is that we need peace in our nation and homes. For that reason, I appeal that we mourn Raila in peace,” she added.
She also reflected on her attendance at several international funerals, including those of Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, and Tanzanian President John Magufuli, noting that such ceremonies were marked by respect and solemnity, a tone she encouraged Kenyans to emulate.
"I have received condolence messages from many parts of the world. I want to appeal to our people that we must mourn Raila in peace. It's not an occasion of confusion. Things work better if we do it in a solemn manner," said Mama Ida.
Her remarks come as thousands of mourners continue to converge in Siaya County to pay their last respects to Raila, a political icon whose influence and legacy extend far beyond Kenya’s borders.
The former prime minister will be buried on Sunday at a private ceremony in Bondo, Siaya, after a funeral service at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST).
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