Trans-Nzoia County Governor George
Natembeya delivered 15 bulls and
15 bags of maize to the family of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Bondo.
Natembeya said the gesture is a
“humble token” of his deep appreciation for Raila’s “monumental contribution”
to the nation, especially his lifelong pursuit of justice, democracy, and unity
among all communities.
“As a political father, he nurtured
leaders across generations and championed the bond between the Mulembe and
Nyanza regions, a unity that remains the bedrock of our political and social
cohesion,” he vowed.
“As we mourn his passing, I reaffirm
my commitment to carry forward his vision, working hand in hand with like-minded
leaders to fulfill his dream of a united, prosperous, and just Kenya.”
Earlier on, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi sent a gift of bulls to Raila’s ancestral home in Opodo.
The gesture, steeped in cultural tradition, underscored solidarity from
Mudavadi and the wider Mulembe community during the nation’s mourning of
Raila’s passing.
On Saturday, a delegation of elders from the Western region arrived in Bondo
to present the animals, which they described as a token of unity and respect
for a leader who had long stood at the forefront of Kenya’s political
struggles.
Clad in traditional regalia, the elders spoke on behalf of Mudavadi,
conveying his condolences to the Odinga family.
“Today we are bringing cows from our minister in solidarity with the
departed,” one elder said, referring to the late leader.
Using a symbolic proverb, another added, “If you put ugali without greens,
it burns you. So we saw it fit to bring greens here. We brought cows and other
items to honour the family.”
For the Luhya community, sending bulls carried deep symbolic meaning.
In traditional practice, livestock gifts signify honour, respect, and shared
mourning.
The Odinga family, still receiving a steady stream of mourners and
dignitaries, acknowledged the gesture as a powerful expression of national
unity during one of the darkest moments in Kenya’s political history.
Raila, who died on October 15 at the age of 80, has been mourned as a
towering statesman whose career was defined by his fight for multiparty
democracy, social justice, and constitutional reform.
His death has left the nation in grief, with citizens from every corner of
the country and dignitaries across the world joining hands in remembrance.
