Winnie Odinga thanks Fally Ipupa for emotional tribute to Raila

East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga has expressed heartfelt gratitude to Congolese music icon Fally Ipupa for his moving musical tribute in honour of her late father, Raila Odinga.

In a message shared across her social media platforms, Winnie thanked Ipupa for standing in solidarity with the Odinga family and the Kenyan people during what she described as a time of deep loss and reflection.

“I say thank you for standing with us Fally Ipupa,” wrote Winnie.

Ipupa, whose full name is Fally Ipupa Nsimba, is one of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s most celebrated musicians, known for his fusion of Congolese rumba, ndombolo, soukous, and global contemporary sounds.

In his emotional tribute, Ipupa sang: “Kenya, Congo (DRC), inasimama na wewe” — Swahili for Kenya and Congo stand with you.

He continued: “Raila Odinga, tuko pamoja na Kenya, Congo inalia na wewe” — Raila Odinga, we are with Kenya, Congo is crying with you.

The artist praised Raila — affectionately known as “Baba” — as a torch of peace, voice of the people, and a son of Africa, saying that while the continent mourns, it is comforted knowing he is in a better place.

Raila, Kenya’s former Prime Minister and a towering figure in African politics for over four decades, passed away on October 15, 2025, in India.

He was laid to rest on October 19 in a private family ceremony at his father's home, Kang'o ka Jaramogi, in Bondo, Siaya County, following a state funeral and a public memorial held at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST).

The funeral was attended by top dignitaries from across the continent, including President William Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, among many others.

Ipupa was not the only artist to pay homage to Raila through music.

East Africa’s music community responded with an outpouring of tribute songs that celebrated the life and legacy of the man many saw as a Pan-African visionary.

Tanzanian superstar Diamond Platnumz released a nearly 10-minute tribute song titled "Ulale Salama Raila Odinga" just a day after Raila’s death was announced. 

Featuring fellow Tanzanian artists Mbosso, Rayvanny, and Zuchu, the song quickly went viral, amassing almost 500,000 views on YouTube by Sunday.

Christina Shusho, a revered gospel singer, honoured Raila with the song “Pumzika Baba”, in which she praised his unwavering fight for democracy, constitutional reform, and justice.

Tanzanian R&B artist Juma Jux shared memories of meeting Raila in Nairobi just weeks before his passing, describing him as “humility wrapped in greatness.”

Music legend Ali Kiba called Raila a “resilient spirit” whose courage inspired a generation beyond Kenya’s borders.

From Uganda, celebrated artist Jose Chameleon took to social media to express sorrow, saying, “Raila’s loss is not Kenya’s alone — it is Africa’s.”