Rev David Kodia on Friday delivers the sermon during the funeral service of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Nyayo National Stadium, October 17, 2025. /EZEKIEL AMING'A
Rev David Kodia on Friday received a standing ovation for his moving sermon during the funeral service of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at the Nyayo National Stadium.
His fiery yet reflective message, punctuated by powerful one-liners and biblical references, drew repeated cheers from the mourners who had gathered to celebrate the life of one of Kenya’s most influential political figures.
After setting the tone of his sermon, the clergyman went on to pay glowing tribute to Raila, describing him as a man of principle whose name was seldom mentioned in relation to financial scandal.
In particular, Rev Kodia pointed out that Raila never embraced handouts, a culture that has become synonymous with many political actors in the country and across Africa.
Rev Kodia highlighted that Raila’s ability to attract and retain loyal followers was built on the power of persuasion and the strength of his ideas.
“Baba never used the power of his wallet to win people. He used the power of the word,” he said to thunderous applause.
While quoting heavily from the scriptures, he said he was speaking so openly and fearlessly because the Word demands of him to “proclaim the things you must proclaim.”
“The theme of my sermon is the power of the word,” he said. “God has given us power in his word and that word must be proclaimed in order to have effect on us.”
This, he said, includes power to correct, to rebuild and encourage.
“The Prime Minister was given that power and he used that power effectively — the power to proclaim the new dawn in the republic of Kenya. The power to proclaim the new freedom where now all of us can be able to say whatever we feel we need to say.”
Rev Kodia said that because of that freedom, people are now more emboldened to speak up against repressive tendencies by those bestowed with power.
He said Raila was one such politician who never shied away from speaking his mind.
“Baba is one such politician that never used the power of money to intimidate people or to lure followers,” he said.
“Today, we have very bad manners amongst most of our politicians — they have taught our people the culture of handouts, that wherever you are, you must part with money. And woe unto those who drive big vehicles; whenever you are seen, you are only seen in terms of money — what can you be able to give.”
The man of God urged mourners, who included several heads of state and government, to emulate Raila by learning the art of persuasion.
“Let’s allow ourselves to be used of that so that the power he has given us may be the power that is correcting, reconciling, rebuking what is evil and what is not evil,” he said.
Rev Kodia’s sermon, rich in biblical references and moral reflection, struck a deep chord among mourners as he drew lessons from Raila’s life of conviction and integrity.
His message of ethical leadership and the power of the spoken word echoed throughout the stadium, adding a spiritual dimension to the tributes paid to the departed leader.
As if to echo the preacher's sermon, Ruto said of Raila: "Today, we honour his towering contribution and the values he embodied - humility, resilience, and steadfast faith in the boundless promise of Kenya."
By the end of his sermon, the congregation was on its feet, applauding not just a man of the cloth, but a message that resonated deeply with the values the late Raila Odinga stood for — courage, truth, and integrity.
