Tanzanians pay moving tribute to Raila with emotional lake dive

Tanzanians have joined Kenyans in mourning the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, offering a touching display of solidarity that captured hearts across the region.

In a deeply symbolic gesture, a group of Tanzanian divers staged an emotional underwater tribute, holding placards bearing heartfelt messages of comfort and remembrance for the leader.

The divers, dressed in different attires, took turns diving into an unknown tranquil lake as they carried messages of condolence directed to Kenyan.

The first diver emerged with a placard reading, “Urgent message to the world,” before disappearing beneath the water’s surface, setting the tone for a series of moving tributes.

Subsequent divers followed, each holding placards inscribed with messages such as “Today we mourn a great leader,” “Rest in peace Raila Odinga,” and “Your spirit lives on in the hearts of millions.”

Another message read, “Let’s honor him not with tears alone, but by continuing his message of peace, love, and justice.”

The emotional sequence culminated with a diver holding a placard adorned with the Kenyan flag and two others emerging from the water holding another placard with words “With love from Tanzania”.

The powerful tribute, shared widely on social media, was first posted by Tanzanian content creator Yess Jamal on his TikTok page.

The video quickly went viral, drawing thousands of emotional reactions and comments from both Tanzanians and Kenyans.

Many viewers praised the divers for their creative and heartfelt expression of regional unity, describing the act as a true reflection of solodarity.

Raila, who passed away last Wednesday in India, has long been admired across the region for his decades-long struggle for democracy, justice, and good governance. Following his death, President William Ruto announced a seven-day mourning period. He was laid to rest Sunday at his Opoda farm in Siaya County.

During the Mashujaa Day celebrations held in Kitui yesterday, Ruto conferred on him the highest honour in Kenya, the Chief of the Golden Heart of Kenya (CGH).

He said the award has been conferred in recognition of Raila's extraordinary contributions and enduring legacy.

"The government and people of Kenya inscribe Hon Raila Odinga’s name among the foremost of our heroes, under the public seal of the Republic." Ruto said.

"On behalf of a grateful nation, and through the authority vested in me as President, I have today posthumously conferred upon the Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga the highest honour of the Republic, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (C.G.H.)."

The notice highlights Raila’s multifaceted career, from his early years as a university lecturer, his long tenure in Parliament, and his service in the Cabinet, to his historic role as the country’s second Prime Minister.