Migori County leaders on Wednesday joined the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) fraternity in paying glowing tribute to the late Raila Amollo Odinga, Kenya’s long-serving opposition leader and former Prime Minister, during a memorial event held at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay.
The delegation from Migori was led by Governor Ochillo Ayacko and included Migori Woman Representative Fatuma Mohammed, Suna West MP Peter Masara, Awendo MP Walter Owino, and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, alongside a host of other dignitaries from the Nyanza region.
In their heartfelt messages, the leaders eulogised Odinga as a visionary who dedicated his life to justice, democracy, and unity in Kenya, with several speakers vowing to uphold his legacy and the ideals he championed.
Masara: “We Are Still in Mourning”
Suna West MP Peter Masara described the death of Raila Odinga as an irreplaceable loss to the Luo Nation and the entire country.
“We are still in mourning; we need space to mourn. We will forever pay homage to his undying spirit,” Masara said.
He affirmed that Migori leaders and residents remain firmly behind Dr. Oburu Odinga, Raila’s elder brother and ODM youth leader, pledging unwavering loyalty to his leadership.
“Any Luo leader who thinks he can make it outside ODM is fighting a battle in futility,” Masara declared.
He praised Raila for bringing the Luo Nation into Kenya’s broad-based government for development and prosperity, adding that anyone questioning his legacy “must stop taking the Luo people for fools.”
In a thinly veiled jab at the emerging united opposition, Masara urged politicians to shun ethnic balkanisation and focus on progress.
“Let us not divide the country along tribal lines. Raila’s dream was of unity, not fragmentation,” he added.
Walter Owino: “The Baton Is Now with Oburu”
Awendo MP Walter Owino echoed Masara’s sentiments, saying the ODM leadership transition had been firmly handed over to Dr. Oburu Odinga.
“The quest for party leadership has been settled. The baton is now with Dr. Oburu Odinga, and we call upon the Luo Nation and the entire ODM fraternity to rally behind him,” Owino said.
Migori County Legislator Fatumma Mohhamed cautioned party critics against undermining the ODM hierarchy, taking direct aim at Odoyo Owidi over his alleged attacks on ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga.
“Odoyo Owidi must respect our party leadership. The attack on Wanga is an attack on the entire ODM family, and we will not sit back and watch lies being peddled against her,” Fatuma warned.
Junnet:Raila’s legacy lives on
The vocal Minority leader maintained that they will carry on with celebrating Mr Odinga’s legacy while calling on party membership to tap from Dr Oburu Odinga’s wisdom.
“We know of countries who have elected leaders way old that Oburu Odinga, he is our leader and we will fully support him as we prepare for the 2027 general elections,” he said.
He maintained that ODM party was in firm grip of the President William Ruto’s broad based governmnet while calling on party membership to remain true to Mr Odinga’s course.
Earlier, Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko announced that the county will host a memorial service in honour of the late Raila Odinga at the Awendo Green Stadium in Awendo Sub-County on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
The event will bring together thousands of residents from Migori and neighbouring counties who were unable to attend Odinga’s burial in Kango Ka Jaramogi, Siaya County.
He emphasized that the memorial will be fully financed by the ODM Party and friends of Raila, dismissing rumours that the county government would foot the bill.
“This is a party event — not a county expenditure. We are simply facilitating an opportunity for our people to express their love and respect for Raila Odinga, who was not just a political leader, but a father figure to many,” the governor said.
The memorial is expected to draw thousands of mourners, regional leaders, and ODM supporters from across Nyanza and beyond, as Kenyans continue to celebrate the life and legacy of Odinga — a man many described as “the conscience of Kenya’s democracy.”
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