Ida Odinga, the widow of the late former Prime Minister
Raila Odinga, has said she would choose to marry him again if given another
chance, describing their 54-year marriage as one built on love, resilience, and
shared purpose.
Speaking during Raila’s burial ceremony at the Jaramogi
Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya
County, Ida reflected on their life together, saying that when they first met,
she never imagined she was marrying a future political icon.
“If I had a chance to marry him, I would marry him again, but
this time I would marry him knowing I’m marrying a politician and not just an
engineer,” she said.
Ida recounted how their relationship began during their
university days, long before Raila became a prominent national figure.
“When I first met Raila some 54 years ago, I didn’t see his
political side; I didn’t see it coming either. He was not a politician in any
form,” she said.
“I knew his father was, but he was different.”
She recalled that she and her friends at the University of
Nairobi had vowed to marry calm professionals, not men drawn to politics.
“We were young, idealistic ladies who swore to marry calm, professional men, not those who gave the loudness of politics. We had no time
for people doing political science, the lawyers, and so forth, we didn’t know
what was coming,” she said.
Ida described the challenges their family endured during
Raila’s long political struggles, including detentions and years in exile.
“Detention years and years in exile tested our family in a
way only the family can appreciate. It was not easy, but all the time when he
was away, I knew he would always come back,” she said.
With deep emotion, Ida said Raila’s passing marked a painful
end to their journey together but affirmed that his spirit would continue to
live on.
“This time, I’ll have to join him wherever he has gone
because he will never come back — but the spirit lives on,” she said.
Raila Odinga will be laid to rest at their Kang’o
Ka’Jaramogi home in Bondo, Siaya County, following a state funeral attended by
national and international leaders.
The former Prime Minister died in India following a cardiac arrest.
He was undergoing treatment in the country.
Upon his death, President William Ruto announced that he
would be accorded a state funeral.
The country, the president said, would also observe seven
days of national mourning with all flags flying at half-mast.
