Former PM Raila Odinga and Chadema's Tundu Lissu and other party officials durig a meeting in Nairobi inn March 2025From South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Addis Ababa, tributes have flowed in, honouring Raila not just as a Kenya’s opposition icon but also continental
statesman who embodied the struggle for justice, equality and democracy.
Among those
who have sent in their condolences are opposition figures and parties,
pro-democracy movements, civil society groups and even heads of state and
government, crediting Raila for his pro-democracy credentials.
Chadema
Party leader Tundu Lissu, who has been in jail, on Thursday instructed
his party officials to make sure they attend the burial of his friend Raila in
Bondo on Sunday.
“Are you going to Bondo for the burial of Raila Odinga? You
have to,” Tundu told Chadema leaders during a court appearance, where he is facing
treason charges.
Prior to his arrest and charging in April, Lissu and party
officials met Raila in Nairobi in March to discuss the political situation in Tanzania
and the democratic struggle led by Chadema.
“We had the opportunity to brief RAO on our 'No Reform, No
Election' stance and to gain his experience and advice. As his nickname
suggests, RAO is the true 'Father' of democracy in our African continent,”
Lissu said at the time.
He added that despite many and severe tortures in prison,
Raila never gave up or betrayed the struggle for democracy in Kenya.
“East Africa owes a great debt to this hero of democracy for
the example of his life of struggle.”
South African opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters led
by the firebrand Julius Malema also mourned Raila and extended its deepest
condolences to Kenyans.
Uganda’s Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, the face of opposition
in Uganda, said Raila stood tall for freedom, liberty and dignity.
“In him, we have lost a great statesman, an African giant, who did his best for
humanity amidst great adversity. Deepest condolences to the great people of
Kenya and all pro-democracy forces around the world,” Bobi Wine said.
Raila hosted Bobi Wine on several instances in Nairobi.
Notably, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni raised issue with the involvment of
Raila’s protégé Babu Owino in Ugandan politics as he backed Bobi
Wine.
In a message shared by Raila’s running mate in the 2022
election Martha Karua, Ugandan opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye, who is also
behind bars, conveyed his condolences and “recognised the fall of a fellow
champion for democracy”.
His wife and UNAids executive director Winnie Byanyima described
Raila as a giant in Africa’s long struggle for freedom, justice and democracy.
The recognition of Raila’s inspiration of democracy was not
limited to opposition figures.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, himself a former
opposition figure who spent years contesting elections before winning power, described
Raila as a towering advocate for democracy.
The African Union Commission eulogised the former Prime
Minister as a towering figure in Kenya’s political life and a steadfast
champion of democracy, good governance and people-centered development.
“His decades-long commitment to justice, pluralism and democratic reform left an indelible mark not only on Kenya but also across the African continent,” AUC chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said.
"He inspired generations of leaders, including myself, and citizens alike through his courage, resilience and unwavering belief in the power of dialogue and democratic institutions."
