ODM party leader Oburu Oginga speaking during the Raila Amolo Odinga Mausoleum handover ceremony on July 20 / SCREENGRAB
ODM party leader Oburu Oginga on Monday challenged the proposed design of the Raila Amolo Odinga Mausoleum, saying it lacked the level of modernity he had expected, urging the architects to draw inspiration from the John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in the United States.
Speaking during the Raila Amolo Odinga Mausoleum handover ceremony, Oburu said the memorial should go beyond being a burial site and become a centre that preserves and showcases Raila Odinga's political journey, speeches and contribution to Kenya's history through modern technology.
He said he had envisioned a facility similar to the Kennedy museum in Boston, where visitors can interact with archived speeches and historical presentations through digital installations.
"I don't see the modernity that I was expecting from it," Oburu said after listening to the presentation of the proposed design.
He recalled that his initial preference had been for a simpler structure but said he was persuaded to embrace a more modern concept after being advised that contemporary memorials should incorporate advanced technology and interactive experiences.
Oburu said the proposed mausoleum should enable visitors to learn about Raila's life and legacy through audio-visual displays, allowing them to access his speeches on politics, history, culture and national development.
Responding to the concerns, lead architect Samson Malaki explained that the mausoleum being presented represents only the first phase of a much larger project and is intended primarily as a solemn place where visitors can pay their respects.
He said Raila's legacy could not be adequately captured within the limited space of the mausoleum alone.
According to the architect, the second phase of the project will include a fully-fledged Raila Odinga Centre incorporating a museum with digital exhibitions, interactive displays and historical archives documenting the veteran opposition leader's life and public service.
He said the larger museum would accommodate the modern features Oburu had proposed, including digital installations and exhibitions designed to preserve Raila's contribution to Kenya and the continent.
Malaki also said the interior of the mausoleum itself would feature modern finishes and sustainable construction materials, noting that detailed interior visualisations would be produced once construction begins.
He explained that time constraints had prevented the team from presenting detailed interior renderings during the handover ceremony.
Project engineers also assured stakeholders that construction would be completed within the planned timeline through collaboration with the Ministry of Defence.
They said specialised concrete additives would be used to accelerate strength gain, allowing formwork to be removed earlier so finishing works could proceed without compromising quality.
The mausoleum is expected to be completed as the first phase of a broader memorial project dedicated to preserving Raila Odinga's legacy, with the proposed museum planned as the centrepiece of the second phase.
