The celebratory mood of the year 2015 was shattered on a quiet Sunday morning January 4, 2015, with the news of the sudden and untimely death of Fidel Castro Odhiambo Makarios Odinga, the first born son of opposition doyen Raila Odinga. Fidel, a jovial, urbane happy-go-lucky young man was found dead in a guestroom in his Karen House after an outing with friends. Investigations into the cause of his death are still ongoing.
Kenyans of all walks of life including President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto travelled to the Raila Odinga homestead in a show of solidarity in grieving Fidel.
Language has no suitable words to express the pain a parent(s) undergoes or feels following the tragic loss of a child. In the natural order of things, sons bury their fathers and only in unusual circumstances such as war or untimely unexpected death do fathers bury their sons. Ida and Raila have sadly buried their son at the prime of his life.
Questions have been raised regarding the circumstances regarding the sudden demise of the young Odinga. Some politicians frustrated by inability to give meaning or make sense of the event have turned to speculation and finger-pointing their political opponents by reading mischief and foul play into the sad event. Indeed, it became an issue at the funeral where unfortunately all manner of allegations were relayed and parallels to past political assassinations drawn. Any person(s) with evidence regarding the unfortunate demise of Fidel are advised to lodge the same with the relevant authorities.
Those eulogizing Fidel described him in glowing terms as social, cosmopolitan, generous, goodhearted, and a man who transcended race, tribe, religion and creed.
He was described as not only a son, but confidante, link-pin, suave political operator and ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary for his father.
Both the President and his Deputy revealed that Fidel had kept constantly in touch with them on telephone and further that they were planning a meeting in 2015, which now is sadly not to be. It’s little wonder then that Raila described him as a “bridge” between people, tribes and nationalities.
There are several life lessons to be learnt from the life of Fidel Odinga; the first being political competition is not enmity. It is a lesson that supporters of politicians need to embrace and understand.
Kenyans from all walks of life streamed into the Odinga homesteads to condole with the family despite obvious political differences. Kenyans need to know that the friendship between the two oldest political families is older than the Republic of Kenya, and is not about to go away. When ignorant Kenyans occasionally take up arms to massacre supporters of one or the other, it is an exercise in pure folly.
These men and women may exchange unkind words in political rallies but will meet later at private members clubs and share a meal with much merrymaking. The Deputy Governor of Kisumu Ruth Odinga once told a story of how Raila used to carry her and Uhuru Kenyatta on his back as children.
Raila Odinga has often been described as the one politician who is nationally loved and detested in equal measure. Kenyan politics would be much the poorer without this 'mass mobiliser' who constantly pulls out 'political rabbits' from his hat. He has influenced the course of Kenyan politics for better or worse over decades. Ironically, it appears like the death of his son and expected political successor may catalyse Kenyan unity. His daughter Rosemary spoke with wisdom far beyond her years when she asked her father to seek dialogue with the government without any ultimatums or preconditions.
In her own words this was a message from her deceased brother Fidel. This is sound advice and if heeded could lead to a cessation of hostilities between opposition and the government. Uhuru Kenyatta has nothing to lose and everything to gain in such an arrangement. He should listen to his heart and ignore coalition hardliners in seeking a win-win situation through dialogue.
Those eulogising Fidel have described him as a unifier and Pan-Africanist. The ethnic composition of his friends on the night preceding his demise is a clear testimony to that fact.
He refused to bind himself in a tribal cocoon and embraced all Kenyans and foreigners alike. His choice of marital partners bears testimony to that philosophy. Credit goes to Ida and Raila for raising a humane, rare, decent, cosmopolitan Kenyan. This is the face of the future of the Kenya we want!
Finally this dedication would be incomplete without a word of thanks to Ida Odinga for having the courage, decency and etiquette to apologise on behalf of her family for hecklers (they appeared politically hired) who breached protocol by imputing improper motives, heckling, foul-mouthing, harassing and booing of visitors who had sacrificed time and opportunity to travel all the way to Bondo to commiserate and mourn with the family.