Children pay emotional tribute to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in choreographed performance at Ithookwe Stadium/SCREENGRABFormer Prime Minister Raila Odinga has been honoured through a series of moving performances during the Mashujaa Day celebrations at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui.
The celebrations, which drew hundreds of Kenyans, were marked by symbolic tributes that celebrated not only the country’s heroes but also Raila’s enduring legacy as a champion of democracy and social justice.
One of the most striking moments came when a large group of school children, dressed in immaculate white outfits, took to the stadium grounds for a choreographed performance.
Their coordinated moves quickly drew the attention of the crowd.
At one point, the children rearranged themselves to form an artistic display of the word “Shujaa”—a fitting reminder of the day’s theme.
The performance soon evolved into a more personalised tribute.
With white gloves and some waving white handkerchiefs, the children moved across the stadium in rhythmic unison, forming the name “Raila” in bold fashion for all spectators to see.
The stadium erupted in applause as a drone view projected the imagery onto giant screens, capturing the powerful visual that declared Raila Odinga as “Shujaa Raila.”
The children then broke into a special rhythm chant, singing “Raila wetu lala salama” in unison, a heartfelt farewell to the late statesman who passed away just days before the national holiday.
The stadium fell into a reverent silence as their voices echoed across the grounds.
In yet another poignant moment, the children recited a Swahili shairi (poem) written in Raila’s honor.
The verses celebrated his lifelong struggle for freedom, equality, and justice, reminding Kenyans of the sacrifices he endured, including years of detention, in the fight for a more democratic nation.
The tributes did not stop there.
An emotional moment unfolded when Raila’s favorite Jamaican ballad, “Jamaica Farewell” by Harry Belafonte, played on the stadium’s big screens.
A video montage showed the former Prime Minister himself singing the song in earlier moments of his life.
Country music artist Kepha Oyugi Bwonda also known as Pharry-K Cowboy045 from Kisii, also honoured Raila in style with a rendition of Farewell Jamaica.
The attendees listened to the nostalgic tune as the chorus filled the air.
The Mashujaa performances honoring Raila came just a day after his burial, adding a deeper layer of meaning to the celebrations.
While Mashujaa Day has always been a national event to recognise Kenya’s heroes, this year’s commemoration was tied to Raila’s passing.
Several songs were performed in his honor as more Kenyans continued streaming into the stadium.
Through song, dance, poetry, and symbolic choreography, Raila Odinga was remembered as a national hero whose contribution to Kenya’s political and social fabric remains indelible.
