Nairobi County Assembly eulogises Raila as House resumes from recess

Nairobi County Assembly MCAs have eulogised former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in a session presided over by Speaker Ken Okeyo Ng’ondi.

The Ward Reps cited Raila’s colossal legacy and unwavering contribution to the country’s political arena

Speaker Ken Ng’ondi led the tributes, describing Raila as a humble and passionate leader who meant well for all.

He shared with the House his personal experience with Raila, recalling how he humbly took President William Ruto to his rural home in a historic event that is still vividly remembered by his family members.

“His legacy is etched into the foundation of this Assembly. He was our neighbour, our leader, our Jakom. His presence was constant in our political landscape. He taught us that politics is not a career for the faint-hearted, but a fierce and noble contest of ideas for the soul of the nation,” Ng’ondi told the plenary.

Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Peter Imwatok eulogised Raila as a resilient, courageous ambassador of peace who rose from poverty to prominence and led with conviction despite being from a minority community.

“I am here today because Raila believed in me when nobody else did. He saw leadership in a young Teso from Makongeni—something many thought impossible in the politics of Nairobi. Through his hand and guidance, I was elected MCA in 2013, again in 2017, and in 2022 under ODM," Imwatok said. 

"To crown it all, he ensured I served as the first PAC Chair in the first Assembly, Minority Whip in the second Assembly, and today as Majority Leader. When the world doubted me, Baba said, ‘Yes, he can.’ I am because he was."

“When Baba believed in a cause, he pursued it to the very end. No amount of intimidation, neither teargas, police brutality, nor detention without trial could silence him. He stood firm, always driven by conviction and love for his country," the Majority Leader added.

"The streets of Nairobi and the rest of Kenya will forever echo with his courage and resilience. Yet Baba was also a man of peace. Whenever he sensed the nation teetering on the brink, he would step back for the sake of unity and stability."

On October 16, the Senate held a Special Sitting to honour Raila, who passed away while receiving treatment in India on October 15.

Senators noted that Raila served as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya between 2008 and 2013 and previously held various senior positions in government including Cabinet Minister for Energy, Roads, Public Works and Housing and as a long-serving MP for Lang’ata Constituency serving four consecutive terms from 1992 to 2013.