“I have spent the last weekend watching Kenyans, Africa, and the whole world mourn Raila Odinga, one of the most distinguished sons of Kenya and one of the greatest Pan Africanists I have ever known,” Dr Banda said in a long Facebook post.
“I have never seen a nation mourn its own citizen in such a way. Young, old, rich, and poor united in grief.”
She said she entirely agrees with President Ruto when he said at one of the funeral events that people asked him why he accorded Raila Odinga a state funeral of a level reserved for a head of State, when he, Raila Odinga, has never been a President in Kenya.
Ruto explained that he did so because he truly believes that Raila Odinga was a people’s President, a president for the poor.
The ex-President said she lived in Kenya in the 70s when Jomo Kenyatta served as the head of state.
“Both men would go on to produce sons, Uhuru and Raila, who were to continue with their respective fathers' legacies and impact the lives of Kenyans deeply," Banda said.
"Watching Raila all these years since she met him and Mama Ida in the 70’s, she adds that she has confirmed what she has always believed in that “leadership is like a love affair; you must fall in love with the people that you serve and the people must fall in love with you. Raila Odinga taught all of us through his persistence, consistency, hard work and courage that you can fight for people’s rights and well-being regardless of what position you hold in your country.”
Through his utterances, Dr Banda said, he demonstrated that he was not afraid to die for his people as he fought for the total emancipation of all the people of Kenya.
“He endured persecution under the Moi regime, he was detained for 8 years, but he also taught us that sometimes it is okay to step aside when in the 90’s he left Kenya, travelled by boat on Lake Victoria to Uganda and then flew to Norway, where he stayed until the situation changed back home. Thanks to Ruth Odinga, his beloved sister, who facilitated this trip as she was studying there.”
“Raila attempted five times to become President of Kenya and lost. Each time, he fell and rose again. I have learnt that it is not the falling that matters but the rising again.”
It is his generosity, giving of love, his philanthropy work and his empathy that have greatly inspired her as she has watched Raila and Ida feed the poor, educate people, build bridges, build politicians, as well as host leaders both local and international.
“Raila was a fierce fighter for human rights, peace, justice and good governance. I am not surprised to see how Kenyans have mourned this hero.”
In 2018, Dr Banda says she met Mama Ida, Raila, and their daughter Winnie at a funeral of her other hero, Winnie Mandela, in South Africa.
Mama Ida explained to her why Winnie was with them, as she was born the day Nelson Mandela and Winnie walked out of prison, while she was in the hospital. That is why they named her Winnie.
“The next time I sat and chatted with this model couple was at the Kenya State House after the funeral of the late president Mwai Kibaki, as seen in the photo attached. I was personally surprised to see him at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, where he came to mourn our former Vice President, late Saulos Klaus Chilima. That was what Raila was all about.”
Dr Banda concluded, “Mama Ida, Rosemary, Raila Junior, and Winnie, thank you for sharing Raila Amolo Odinga with all of us. I pray that God will sustain you during this difficult time. I pray that God should cover you under his wings. Psalms 57: 1-4. May the Soul of Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga continue to rest in everlasting peace.”
