Nyali residents hold special prayers in honour of Raila Odinga

Nyali residents praying for Raila Odinga’s soul in Maweni area, barely a week after his burial in Bondo, Siaya county,October 25, 2025. /KNA

Barely a week after the burial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, hundreds of his supporters in Nyali gathered for a special prayer and thanksgiving ceremony to honour and celebrate the life of the departed statesman.

Supporters drawn from Kongowea, Mkomani, Kadzandani, Freretown, and Ziwa la Ng’ombe wards converged in Maweni to pay tribute to Raila.

Said Abdalla, alias Saido, a long-time ally of the late leader, said many supporters who were unable to attend the burial in Bondo had approached him to help organise the prayers and luncheon.

Saido thanked Nyali residents for their unwavering loyalty and affection for Raila, even in death, and urged them to live harmoniously while upholding the peace and unity that the late leader championed throughout his life.

Dennis Aduda, a resident of Mkomani, said the death of the former Prime Minister had left a gap that would remain unfilled for years, noting that his passing had left his supporters with a deep sense of loss.

“He has left us at a time we needed him most as our father. He has always guided us towards unity, love, and the fight for democracy,” said Aduda, adding that Raila was a statesman who always prioritised the nation over personal gain.

Aduda further noted that Nyali had not only lost a national icon but also one of its own, as the late Prime Minister maintained a home in the upmarket Nyali suburb.

Agneta James said the group had dedicated the prayers to the former ODM leader in accordance with Luo tradition following his demise in India.

“We decided to conduct the prayers today because, according to our Luo customs, the mourning period is four days, and today being a weekend, most people were at home. Some of us travelled to Bondo, but others who could not make the trip chose to hold the prayers here in his honour,” she said.

\James added that the death had touched not only the Jaramogi family but the entire nation, and the prayers were a show of solidarity with Raila’s relatives.

“He always championed women’s rights. He supported us and gave us the opportunity to exercise our civic rights through the 2010 Constitution. If you look at women leaders in the August House, most of them were mentored by Baba,” she said.

Francis Mwanzia, a resident of Kongowea, commended President William Ruto for supporting Raila’s family and for honouring the late former Prime Minister with a befitting state funeral.

“As we mourn, we remind ourselves that our leader may be gone, but he lives on in our hearts,” he said, also praising Said Abdalla for sponsoring more than 100 residents to attend the funeral in Bondo, Siaya County, last Sunday.

Fatma Mapapa, a resident of Freretown, said Abdalla was following in Baba’s footsteps by uniting Nyali residents.

“No sitting MP sponsored their constituents to attend the funeral in Bondo. Most of them rode on Baba’s popularity to win their seats, but it was only Said Abdalla who funded us to go,” she said.

Mwinyikombo Menza urged ODM members to unite and strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 polls in honour of Raila Odinga.