A heartbroken Ida Odinga on Friday urged Kenyans to honour her late husband’s memory by choosing forgiveness, rejecting greed, and upholding peace — values she said defined Raila Odinga’s life and leadership.
“Don’t carry grudges from one generation to another,” she pleaded. “We are all Kenyans, and we must learn to forgive easily and build a together Kenya.”
Speaking at Nyayo Stadium during the national memorial service, Mama Ida said her husband had often reminded her that peace was the most precious gift Kenyans could give each other.
“One thing that he kept on repeating to me is that we must urge Kenyans to live in peace,” she said
“Raila hated dishonesty. He hated greed, the greed that has eaten into the fabric of our society, that leads people to steal from public coffers through corruption. He would not have liked to see it.”
She thanked Kenyans for standing with the Odinga family in their time of mourning.
“I thank all of you who have come, and those watching us from home, for helping us mourn Raila,” she said. “May his soul lie in eternal peace. I wish you well, and may God bless you.”
In a written tribute, Ida described Raila as her “partner, confidant, and greatest supporter” for more than five decades, saying his death had left her shattered.
“My dear, my heart is heavy as I write these words,” she began. “The news of your sudden passing feels like an ache that cannot be soothed. It’s a pain so deep I find myself praying for strength, for courage, and for the peace that surpasses all understanding.”
Ida reflected on their life together, saying she had hoped they would enjoy retirement side by side after years of service and sacrifice.
“For over five decades, you weren’t just my husband you were my partner, my confidant, my greatest supporter,” she said. “I had dreamed of retiring together, of growing old hand in hand, sharing quiet sunsets and dreams fulfilled. But now I realise life’s plans are in the hands of a higher power.”
She described Raila as a man of immense courage, compassion, and faith one who lived his convictions and taught forgiveness by example.
“You taught me what true courage with humanity looks like,” she wrote. “Through your actions and words, you showed us that forgiveness is a virtue worth cultivating — that bravery is rooted in facing storms head-on with unwavering faith.”
