Why Raila cannot be replaced by one person – Kivutha Kibwana

Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has said that the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s influence on Kenya’s democracy and political culture was so profound that no single individual can replace him.

Speaking on Tuesday morning, Kibwana said Raila’s legacy transcends politics.

He noted that the former Prime Minister inspired generations of Kenyans to stand up for justice, fairness, and constitutional governance.

“Even when Raila was alive, the young Kenyans were very able to agitate for the Constitution to work, the country to work, corruption to become something of the past,” Kibwana said on Citizen TV.

“I think the seed for maintaining Kenya as a democracy has been sown.”

He added that Raila played a unique role in shaping Kenya’s democratic space and civic consciousness, teaching citizens that they have a right to resist injustice.

“One thing that Raila has taught Kenyans was that they have a right to resist whatever is not fair,” he stated.

“Even when he decided to work with the current President, young Kenyans continued to do that.”

Kibwana described Raila as a national figure whose moral authority and political influence allowed him to rally the country around major reforms that others could not achieve.

“Raila occupied a special place because he could get the country to do certain things which nobody else could,” he said.

According to the former governor, Raila’s ideals of justice, unity, and reform have already taken root among the youth and civil society, ensuring that his vision will continue through collective action rather than individual leadership.

“Therefore, you cannot replace Raila with one person but with several people,” Kibwana remarked.

He emphasized that the continuation of Raila’s mission lies in the hands of many Kenyans committed to safeguarding democracy.

Kibwana’s comments come amid ongoing tributes to the former Prime Minister, who is being remembered for his decades-long fight for multi-party democracy, constitutional reform, and good governance in Kenya.

Raila was laid to rest on Sunday, October 19, next to his father and mother at their Kang’o Ka’Jaramogi home in a private ceremony following a grand state funeral service held at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST).

The funeral drew an unprecedented gathering of national and international dignitaries, underlining the former Prime Minister’s towering influence in Kenya and across Africa.

Ruto led the nation in mourning, delivering a tribute that recognised Raila’s pivotal role in Kenya’s political evolution.

Other high-ranking attendees included Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, various Cabinet and Principal Secretaries, Members of Parliament, and Senators.

Also present was former President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, a long-time friend of Raila and one of the international dignitaries who joined Kenyans in celebrating the life of the opposition icon.