Ida Odinga: I accept God’s will in Raila’s death

Ida Odinga, the widow of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has said she accepts her husband’s passing as the will of God, despite the deep pain of his loss.

Speaking with emotion during the burial ceremony held at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Ida said she had never imagined she would one day be the one leading the family and the nation in laying Raila to rest.

“I never imagined that this would fall on me, to lead the family and the world in burying Raila. I hoped it would be the other way round,” she said on Sunday.

Ida said she had chosen to face the moment with courage and faith, declaring, “With pain, without lamentation, I accept the will of God".

She expressed her gratitude to President William Ruto and his administration for what she described as a dignified and historic farewell for her husband.

“I want to thank the President of Kenya, William Ruto, and the government for according my husband such a dignified send-off. Indeed, in this part of the world, we have never seen something like this,” Ida said.

Thousands gathered in Bondo, Siaya County, to pay their final respects to the veteran opposition leader and reformist whose decades-long struggle defined Kenya’s democratic journey.

The former Prime Minister, fondly known as “Baba”, was laid to rest at his family home in Kang’o ka Jaramogi, Bondo, following a state funeral marked by days of national mourning, prayers, and tributes from across Kenya and beyond.

Ida used her tribute to urge leaders and citizens alike to remain committed to building a better country through hard work, integrity, and service.

“Hard work, determination, focus, we can change our country,” she said. “Let’s not seek leadership to enrich ourselves. Let’s not seek leadership to acquire wealth for ourselves, but acquire wealth for Kenya and for our generation to come.”

She called on Kenyans to honour Raila’s legacy by striving for a nation built on shared prosperity, quality education, and a strong health system.

“In the name of Raila, I appeal that we focus on national wealth instead of personal wealth. I appeal that we work on quality education, education that will lead us to be the people that God made us to be. I appeal that we have our nation in order, correct our health institutions so that you give us the kind of life that we need to live,” she said.

In her final farewell, Ida said she had accepted to let go of Raila, entrusting him to God and those who had gone before him.

“I surrender Raila to friends, family, and patriots who went ahead of him. I surrender Raila to eternity, and I surrender Raila to all the ages. I know he’s comfortable where he is. I know he deserves to be in the company where he is, and I pray that when my time comes, I’ll join him there in heaven. Fare thee well, my dear husband, fare thee well, our children’s father,” Ida added.

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