Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has paid a moving tribute to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, describing him as “a friend, a brother, and a defining part of my own journey.”
In an emotional message following Raila’s passing, Uhuru said the news had left him deeply shaken, calling it “a grief that is both profound and deeply personal.”
“My heart is heavy, and my spirit is burdened with a grief that is both profound and deeply personal,” he said.
“The news of Raila’s
passing has left a silence that echoes across our nation, a silence where once there was a voice of
thunder and conviction.”
The former Head of State reflected on their long and often complex political relationship, saying that while they had once been fierce rivals, they ultimately forged a bond of mutual respect and unity.
“To me, Raila was more than a political colleague; he was a defining part of my own journey in public service and in life,” Uhuru said. ,
“Raila and I were navigators on opposing currents, charting different courses
for the nation we both loved.”
He recalled how their political rivalry pushed both men to think critically and defend their convictions with passion.
“Baba, as we fondly called him, was a man who made you sharpen your own ideas, compelling you to defend your positions with rigour and passion,” he said.
Uhuru noted that over time, their relationship evolved into one of partnership and shared patriotism, culminating in the 2018 “Handshake” that eased political tensions in the country.
“That journey from fierce political opponents to partners in the pursuit of Handshake unity taught me the true measure of the man,” Uhuru said.
“I saw firsthand his unwavering passion for this country, his deep-seated
belief in justice, and his incredible capacity to think beyond personal
ambition for the sake of national peace.”
Describing Raila as “a formidable opponent but an even more invaluable ally in the cause of reconciliation,” Uhuru said he would miss their candid conversations and the fire that defined Raila’s convictions.
“I have lost a friend and a brother. I will miss our
conversations — sometimes challenging, always insightful — and the fire of
belief that never left his eyes,” he added.
Uhuru also extended his condolences to Raila’s widow, Mama Ida Odinga, their children, and the entire Odinga family.
“To Mama Ida, the children and the entire Odinga family, I extend my deepest, most heartfelt condolences. You have shared Baba with Kenya for a lifetime, and we mourn with you,” he said.
“We have lost a father to the nation, a steadfast champion for the people, and a true son of Kenya.”
The former President concluded his message with a reflection on Raila’s enduring legacy.
“His legacy is not just in the political battles he fought, but in the peace he helped build,” Uhuru said.
“It is etched in the very fabric
of our nation. Rest in peace, my friend. Your work here is done, but your echo
will never fade.”
