As Kenyans prepare to accompany Raila Odinga to his final resting place in Bondo this Sunday, the nation’s grief is matched only by our obligation to act with dignity, restraint, and compassion.
The thousands of Kenyans already gathering at his different homes, and turning up to view his body remind us of his immense place in our shared story. But let us not allow that love to descend into chaos.
This is a moment for collective mourning, not a public crush. Every Kenyan who wishes to pay their respects should be able to do so, but in orderly queues, under clear direction, with room for the family to breathe.
Let us comply with security arrangements. Loudspeaker announcements should guide the flow. Barriers, proper marshals and clear signage are not obstacles to love; they are expressions of respect.
The family must also be allowed space to mourn, to prepare, to heal. They should not be overwhelmed by relentless surges of people in Karen and in Bondo. Let us treat their suffering as ours too, and restrain our mourning just enough to preserve their dignity.
Raila was a father to many. But Sunday’s burial should not become a spectacle. If the nation’s grief is boundless, let our restraint be as firm as our love.
Let us walk to Bondo with measured steps and quiet hearts, so that every Kenyan, every mourner, and every member of the Raila family can receive respect and peace in equal measure.
“I don't say he's a great man…He's not the finest character that ever lived. But he's a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him.”
Arthur Miller
The American actor and writer of plays in the 20th-century American theater was born on October 17, 1915
