Fellow Citizens, it is with deep sorrow that I inform the nation of the passing on of the Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga, our former Prime Minister, Kenya’s foremost statesman and one of Africa’s greatest sons.
Kenya, Africa, and the world mourn the passing of a giant of democracy, a fearless freedom fighter, and a tireless warrior of good governance.
Raila Amolo Odinga’s name will forever be etched in the story of our Republic: A story of struggle, sacrifice, courage, rule of law, hope, and our pursuit for excellence.
For decades, Raila dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice, equity, and freedom. He endured detention and persecution so that this nation might know and enjoy democracy.
He championed reforms that gave birth to the rights and freedoms we hold dear. His voice spoke for the oppressed, his conviction inspired generations, and his vision shaped the course of our history.
Raila Amolo Odinga is truly a once-in-a-generation leader; a man whose ideals transcended politics and whose legacy will shape the destiny of Kenya for generations to come. A giant who towered for decades over our democratic landscape.
He was a colossus of Kenya’s modern politics, an indomitable warrior in our struggle for freedom and prosperity, and a statesman of boundless selflessness
In his passing, we have lost a patriot of uncommon courage, a pan-Africanist, a unifier who sought peace and unity above power and self-gain; an unceasing servant of the people who gave his all for the promise of a better Kenya.
On behalf of a grateful nation, I extend my deepest condolences to Mama Ida Odinga; his children, Rosemary, Raila Junior, and Winnie; and the entire Odinga family; to the leadership and members of the Orange Democratic Movement, and to all Kenyans who share in this immense and immeasurable loss.
In honour of the Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga’s extraordinary contribution to our nation, I have declared a 7-day period of national mourning, during which the National Flag shall fly at half-mast across the Republic of Kenya and in all our missions abroad.
As a mark of respect, I have postponed all my public engagements for the coming days to join the nation in this period of mourning and deep reflection.
Our former prime minister, Raila Amolo Odinga, shall be accorded a state funeral with all attendant honours.
In consultation with the family, a committee to be co-chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and my brother, Siaya Senator
Oburu Oginga, has been set up to coordinate the funeral arrangements.
At the same time, the government of India, at the request of the government of Kenya, has offered to facilitate the repatriation of the remains of our former Prime Minister.
Consequently, a delegation comprising government officials and family members, led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, is leaving immediately for India to facilitate proper organisation in the repatriation of the remains of Raila Odinga.
Other members of the delegation are Mama Ida, Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen (Interior) and Hassan Joho (Mining), National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa, Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, and family members, Jaoko Oburu Odinga, Kevin Opiyo Oginga, and others.
Fellow patriots, we have lost a beacon of courage, a tower of principle, and a father of our democracy. Let us come together, as he always urged us to do, not as rivals, but as brothers and sisters bound by a shared destiny.
As we mourn, I call on all Kenyans to reflect on his towering legacy and the lessons impacted by Rt Honourable Raila Odinga’s life, work, ideas and example.
In a political career spanning decade, Raila Amolo Odinga offered a compelling model of principled politics, and at critical moments in our nation’s journey, he always put Kenya first before individual interest.
May his soul rest in eternal peace. May God comfort his family. May God bless Kenya.
Thank you.
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