Why Bondo is trending

Locals mourn in Raila Odinga's home at Opoda Farm in Siaya County./FAITH MATETE

Bondo is a town located in Siaya County, in the western region of Kenya, near the shores of Lake Victoria.

It serves as the headquarters of Bondo Sub-County and is one of the key urban and administrative centers in the Nyanza region.

Originally a small fishing and trading settlement, Bondo has grown into a vibrant town with economic, educational, and political significance.

Bondo holds special political and cultural importance as the home area of the Odinga family, one of Kenya’s most influential political dynasties.

The late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first Vice President, hailed from the area, as did his son, the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who died on Wednesday.

Because of this, Bondo has long been considered the political heartland of the Luo community and a symbolic center of opposition politics in Kenya.

On Wednesday morning, however, the town was among the most discussed topics on Kenyan social media.

Locals mourn in Raila Odinga's home at Opoda farm in Siaya County./FAITH MATETE

This followed the demise of Raila Odinga in India, after suffering a cardiac arrest during a morning walk. He had travelled for medical attention about two weeks ago.

Immediately after it went public that he had passed away, thousands of Bondo residents marched to their Opoda Farm home, as they mourned a man they have always known as their leader.

Aside from the farm others also flocked the streets of Bondo to mourn him.

Most are heard chanting “Jowi! Jowi! Jowi!” a phrase that is synonymous with late former PM, whenever he attended funerals in the region.

Jowi primarily means ‘buffalo’, but it is most famously used as a mourning chant to honor a respected or fierce warrior who has passed away.

On social media, however, while others chose to mourn him for the work he has done over the years others did not receive the news of his demise with shock.

Here’s what some of them said;

“I am not a Luo, I am not from Bondo, and I never had the privilege of meeting Jakom Baba Raila Odinga and yet his political journey has always inspired me. His courage, resilience, and unwavering belief in a better Kenya touched every heart, including mine. His brand of politics was about principle, sacrifice, and hope. I am truly heartbroken. Words cannot express the pain of losing such a monumental figure. Rest in peace, Baba. Your legacy will live forever,” said one Samuel Wekesa.

“The greatest Luo / Kenyan / African of our time exits the scene. My home mate in Bondo. Rest in peace, Agwambo,” added Alfred Omenya.

Kenya West said, “This is one man who held the fabrics of this nation through unpopular decisions. A beacon of peace and unity. Raila leaves a political void that is going to take ages to fill. It’s painful to imagine this country without Raila. Olit by a lot! Rest Well Baba!”

"A statesman. A fighter. A father to a nation," said Rachel Nelima

"I’m not celebrating Raila Odinga’s death. The man defined Kenya’s politics I call him Enigma. His courage, persistence, and influence will be remembered. Nam Luo, gini litna sana. Bondo abiro. But this moment it’s different. It’s not just an ending, it’s a reset," said one Bob Kennedy.

Mourners have also turned out in large numbers to mourn the former Prime Minister at his other homes in Karen, Nairobi and Kisumu County.