A Rest for the Shaper of the Republic
There goes Baba, Raila Amolo Odinga.
From across the globe, tributes continue to pour in from presidents, prime ministers, and ordinary citizens. They do not mourn; they celebrate a man who gave his years, peace, and comfort so that others could stand tall in freedom.
For more than half a century, Raila was not merely a politician; he was an architect of the Republic. Time and again, he placed his country before self, choosing reconciliation over revenge and principle over power, even when it was unpopular to do so. In doing so, he became an indispensable force in Kenya’s democratic journey, agitating for democracy, constitutionalism, media freedom, and the rule of law, privileges we risk taking for granted.
And so, with his passing, the nation may feel adrift, as though trudging through a desert with a broken compass. Yet despite the shock and anguish of the moment, we must not see his departure as a tragedy beyond reason, but as an occurrence that is part of the divine rhythm in which life and death remain enigmas far beyond our human understanding.
Raila Odinga lived a life of courage and conviction, one we are all called to emulate.
Rest in peace, Baba.
Mr Geoffrey Mung’ou, the Head of Cape Media’s Radio47, also penned his heartfelt tribute to celebrate the life of Rt. Hon Raila Amolo Odinga…
“Siku za miaka yetu ni sabini; Na ikiwa tuna nguvu, ni themanini; nayo fahari yake ni taabu na ubatili; kwa maana hupita upesi, nasi tukapotea.”
Ni andiko katika Zaburi 90:10. Maana ni kwamba kwa kawaida wanadamu huishi miaka 70 au 80, kulingana na nguvu na neema, japo wapo wanaozidi umri huu.
Naam! Raila Amolo Odinga, maarufu Baba, Jakom, Tinga, Enigma, ameishi duniani kwa miaka 80 duniani. Amefanya mengi. Ameona mengi. Amepitia mengi…ya machungu na dhihaka katika kupigania tunayofurahia sasa. Amezuiliwa, ameteswa, amerushiwa vitozamachozi, ametusiwa. Yote ni katika harakati za kufa kupona za kupigania demokrasia, katiba mpya, utawala wa kisheria, uhuru wa vyombo vya habari, kutokomeza ufisadi na kadhalika.
Alijaribu mara kadhaa kuwa Rais ila haikuwezekana. Hata hivyo ameacha kumbukumbu tele. Pia ameacha huzuni nyingi… Wengi wamelizwa na kifo chake. Baadhi wakazirai…wengine wakafa hasa walipojitokeza kutazama mwili wake. Huzuni iliyoje.
Oktoba 19, mwaka 2025 ndiyo siku ya mwisho ya Agwambo hapa duniani. Anafukiwa mchangani katika zile amri za majivu kwa majivu, mavumbi kwa mavumbi. Tinga hataonekana tena duniani hadi parapanda zitajapopigwa na malaika wakiongozwa na ISRAFILI…mwisho wa dunia ya sasa utakapofika.
Raila, umeondoka ila umeacha kumbukumbu nyingi. Umeliacha taifa likiwa limepiga hatua. Shukrani za dhati. Tungetamani tukupe ya kukupa ila umeondoka ghafla duniani.
Kalamu ya Mungu haina makosa. Liandikwalo halifutiki.
Lala salama. Lala pema pa wema, Enigma.
