Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s younger sister Ruth Odinga has expressed heartbreak over what she described as hypocrisy among some young Kenyans.
Ruth said her late brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, died feeling rejected by the very generation now mourning him.
Speaking on Saturday, Ruth said Raila had sensed hostility from sections of the youth, especially online, and passed away believing that Gen Zs preferred him dead.
“The Gen Zs are the same people talking about the outpouring love when he is dead. How about when he was not dead and you wanted him to die?” she said.
Ruth lamented that the love and unity being shown across the country came too late for Raila to see.
She described the former Prime Minister’s passing as a loss for the entire nation, saying the moment the machines were switched off at the hospital, she felt the weight of Kenya’s grief.
“He died only knowing the Gen Zs prefer him dead. It is only us who are seeing the outpouring love, but how about Baba? He would have loved you people to have more love. When the machine was switched off, I knew Kenya has lost,” she added.
This comes amid massive public mourning and tributes for the
veteran opposition leader, whose death has drawn condolences from world
leaders, politicians, and citizens alike.
Ruth Odinga was among the family members who had accompanied the former Prime Minister to India to get medication.
On Friday, thousands of Kenyans gathered to pay their final respects to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi.
The wails began in earnest the moment the flag-draped casket entered the stadium. Cries of “Baaaba! Jowi!” pierced the air as mourners struggled to contain their grief.
White handkerchiefs waved in the air, many dabbing tears from faces streaked with sorrow.
Some stood and clapped, others fell to their knees, overcome by emotion as the solemn procession made its way into the stadium.
“Baba, why are you leaving us?” a mourner cried out as the crowd broke into loud lamentations, their voices blending into one powerful chorus of loss.
Whistles and vuvuzelas sounded intermittently, a mix of mourning and celebration for a man many saw as a symbol of resilience and hope.
On Saturday, the body of the former Prime Minister was airlifted to Kisum,u where Nyanza residents were accorded a chance to view his body ahead of burial on Sunday.
A wave of mourning swept through Kondele, Nyalenda, Kibuye, and the lakeside city’s central business district.
The atmosphere was charged with sorrow, nostalgia, and deep affection for a man many considered the symbol of their struggle.
Many enthusiastic supporters danced through the night, while others lit hundreds of candles in honour of their departed leader.
The flickering lights illuminated the streets, casting a soft glow that mirrored the collective grief and pride of the people.
