Senator Oburu remembers Raila as best friend, principled leader
Speaking during Raila’s burial, Oburu said losing his brother felt like losing a part of himself, recalling their close bond from childhood to adulthood.
Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga delivered an emotional tribute to his late brother, Raila Odinga, describing him as his lifelong friend, a fearless freedom fighter, and a man of strong principles whose courage shaped Kenya’s democratic journey.
Speaking during Raila’s burial, Oburu said losing his brother felt like losing a part of himself, recalling their close bond from childhood to adulthood.
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“That I have lost my best friend in life. I will never have any other friend like Raila,” he said emotionally, adding that he almost lacked the strength to speak because “my best friend is gone.”
The Senator reflected on their childhood, portraying Raila as a caring but firm young boy who never tolerated unfairness or misuse.
Oburu narrated how Raila once refused to pick cotton when ordered by their father, telling him, “Baba, don’t you know it is very difficult to pick cotton? Why don’t you also try to pick it?” The remark earned him discipline, but it revealed his lifelong tendency to question authority and injustice.
Senator Oburu shared more childhood memories that illustrated Raila’s strong character. He recounted a time when their teacher punished them harshly for missing school to help their mother attend a funeral. Despite repeated beatings, Raila refused to salute the teacher, saying, “You are killing me for nothing, and my mother asked you for permission, so don’t kill me again.”
According to Oburu, Raila was not only disciplined but also academically gifted and passionate about sports.
“Raila liked school and never missed a class. He was always number one,” he recalled. Raila’s love for sports, especially athletics and football, stood out even in his youth. “He became a member of the Athletics Association and loved football so much. His team was called Arsenal Raila,” Oburu said.
He also remembered Raila’s strong support for local football, serving as a patron of Gor Mahia and a passionate supporter of the national team. “Whenever he was at Kasarani with His Excellency the President, Kenya always won,” he said with a light moment of nostalgia.
The Senator went on to recount Raila’s bravery and resilience in the face of pain and danger. He recalled how, as a child, Raila sustained a scar on his mouth after falling from a mango tree, and another from an accident in Germany. “He was a very brave man,” Oburu said.
But it was Raila’s imprisonment after the failed 1982 coup that left the deepest mark on his brother. “When my brother was arrested and charged with treason, I went to see him at Kamiti Prison,” Oburu narrated. “He was in the black uniform meant for those on death row. I cried, but he laughed and told me, ‘This is nothing. All this will go.’”
He said that moment showed Raila’s unmatched courage and conviction. “Raila never feared anything. Even when police threw tear gas, he would face them head-on while others ran away,” he said.
Oburu concluded his tribute by thanking all who stood with the family, remembering Raila as a man who lived and died fighting for justice, fairness, and the dignity of every Kenyan.
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