Preparations for the first anniversary of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s death have reached their final stages, with organisers promising tight security, orderly proceedings and public health measures ahead of Thursday’s memorial at Migwena Cultural and Sports Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County.
But as the country prepares to honour one of its most influential political figures, the Odinga family has issued a clear message to leaders across the political divide: the occasion must be about remembering Raila’s life and legacy, not competing for political attention.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, vice-chairman of the National Steering Committee, said the main venue would be ready by Wednesday evening.
The grounds can accommodate about 10,000 people, although organisers are preparing for an overall attendance of approximately 20,000, underscoring the scale of the gathering expected to bring together family members, supporters, dignitaries and international partners.
Amollo said activities would begin as early as 6am on Thursday, with performances by different groups setting the tone for a day dedicated to celebrating the life of the veteran opposition leader.
The family has also urged mourners to avoid partisan political attire and instead embrace national symbols, emphasising that Raila’s place in Kenya’s history extends beyond party loyalties and regional boundaries.
The central message is one of unity: political disagreements should not overshadow a ceremony intended to celebrate a man whose career helped shape Kenya’s multiparty politics and democratic journey.
An interdenominational church service, led by the Anglican Church, is scheduled for 11am, followed by tributes from relatives, political leaders and international guests.
The programme will also feature an international candle-lighting ceremony at Kang’o ka Jaramogi, the Odinga family home in Bondo. Proceedings are expected to begin at 4.30pm, with Raila’s widow, Mama Ida Odinga, scheduled to light the first candle at 6pm.
Kenyans at home and abroad have been encouraged to participate in the remembrance by lighting candles and sharing photographs.
Siaya County Secretary Elizabeth Adongo said the county government had completed a joint security assessment with national security officials, administrators and the Odinga family. Public health arrangements, including screening protocols for Ebola, have also been put in place in anticipation of the large crowds.
A national figure, a sensitive political moment
The anniversary comes at a politically delicate time, with the 2027 General Election approaching and questions surrounding Raila’s legacy, ODM’s future and the country’s shifting political alliances becoming increasingly prominent.
Raila, who died in India in October 2025, spent decades at the centre of Kenya’s political struggles.
He became a defining figure in the push for multiparty democracy, constitutional reform and competitive elections, later serving as Prime Minister in the Grand Coalition Government from 2008 to 2013.
His influence was not confined to electoral contests. For generations of supporters, he represented resistance, political mobilisation and the pursuit of reforms that reshaped the country’s governance.
For others, his long career was marked by the complex compromises and alliances that define Kenya’s politics.
That history makes the Bondo memorial more than a family gathering. It is also an occasion on which Kenyans will reflect on a political legacy that continues to influence national debate.
Yet the family’s insistence on keeping politics away from the commemoration reflects concern that rival camps could use the gathering to demonstrate their popularity, trade political accusations or compete for ownership of Raila’s legacy.
The challenge will be to bring together leaders and supporters with sharply different political views without allowing those differences to disrupt the solemnity of the event.
As Bondo prepares to receive mourners, the ultimate measure of the anniversary may not be the number of prominent guests who attend or the size of the crowd, but whether the occasion honours Raila’s memory with dignity, tolerance and respect.
For a leader whose political journey stirred fierce loyalty, passionate disagreement and national debate, the family’s appeal offers a fitting reminder: remembrance should bring people together, even when politics pulls them apart.
About The Author
