The siblings of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga have paid glowing tributes to the late opposition leader, recalling his fearless character, disciplined upbringing, and unwavering dedication to justice and democracy.
During a funeral service held on Sunday at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, family members shared intimate childhood memories that reflected the strength and conviction that later defined Raila’s political life.
Raila’s elder brother, Oburu Ng’ong’a Oginga, described him as a boy who was never afraid to challenge authority — including that of their father, Kenya’s first Vice President, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
“My father was very strict. Every weekend he would return home from Kisumu expecting us to be picking cotton. But one day, Raila, in his usual boldness, asked him, ‘Why don’t you pick it as well if it’s so easy?’ — and he got a beating for it,” Oburu recalled, drawing laughter from mourners.
He said his brother’s courage and sense of fairness were evident long before he entered politics.
“He never bowed to redundancy or injustice, even in school. That firmness shaped the man he became — expressive, principled, and fearless,” Oburu said.
Reflecting on his brother’s death, he added: “I have lost my brother and best friend. Raila loved school, always topped his class, and had a passion for sports — especially Gor Mahia and Arsenal. He was a brave man. I thank the President for organizing everything to honor him.”
Raila’s younger sister, Wenwa Akinyi Odinga, painted a portrait of a strong-minded boy who resisted blind obedience.
“There was a rule that if you were caned, you had to salute and say ‘thank you, teacher.’ Raila refused to do it. He would just get up and walk away — until the teacher gave up. That defiance wasn’t disrespect; it was conviction,” she said.
Wenwa also recalled Raila’s professionalism and integrity during his years as Deputy Director at the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) in the 1970s and 1980s.
“He was a man of integrity. When he served at KEBS, he insisted on punctuality and even introduced an attendance register. He was strict but fair. Discipline defined him — both in public and private life,” she said.
“This is the most difficult eulogy I have ever written. Raila loved the news and was always curious about what was happening in the world. He wanted peace and justice for this nation — and that is what we must continue to uphold in his honor.”
Another sibling, Ruth Odinga, reflected on the family’s political hardships, recalling years of persecution and exile during Raila’s activism.
“I’m one of the first women exiles. When Raila was detained and later became a refugee in Norway, I was with him. You cannot imagine what Mama Ida went through — living without her husband for nine long years,” she said.
Ruth described her brother as a “true patriot” who placed Kenya’s freedom above personal comfort.
Another sister, Emily Oginga, said Raila lived by conviction and never allowed fear to dictate his choices.
“Raila never cared what others thought about him or his actions. In the process, he became Kenya’s ultimate political prisoner and one of Africa’s best-known freedom fighters — a dedicated, down-to-earth servant of the people, a headache to the corrupt elite, and a beacon of hope for those struggling for freedom,” she said.
Raila Odinga, 80, passed away in Kochi, India, last Wednesday after suffering a cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness.
The government has announced that he will be accorded a state funeral with full military honors. According to the family, it was Odinga’s wish to be buried within the shortest possible time, ideally within 72 hours.
His body will be laid to rest beside that of his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, in a private ceremony at the family home in Bondo, Siaya County.