- Siaya county first lady Betty Orengo got emotional sharing details of her last conversation with Raila Odinga
- Betty spoke to the media for the first time amid rumours her husband, governor James Orengo was unwell
- A visibly heartbroken Orengo was spotted at Kasarani Stadium during the viewing of Raila’s body
- Orengo paid a glowing tribute to his ally and party leader, expressing his profound sadness
A video of James Orengo’s wife, Betty, weeping at Raila Odinga’s Bondo home, moments after Oburu Oginga arrived at the homestead to break the news of the ODM leader’s passing, has touched Kenyans.
Source: UGC
Oburu, the Siaya senator and brother to Raila, arrived at the goner’s Bondo home aboard a chopper, minutes after 4pm on Thursday, October 16.
In Luo culture, a member of the deceased has to officially inform the people back home of the death of their loved one before burial plans commence. During the announcement, which was televised, Oburu revealed that Raila will be buried next to their parents as per his wish.
During Oburu’s speech, Betty Orengo, dressed in a colourful kitenge, who was standing next to him, was spotted wiping tears.
Later, the heartbroken Siaya first lady paid an emotional tribute to Raila and admitted that he is irreplaceable.
“This is the man who sacrificed his personal liberty, family relationship so that he can fight for Kenya. My relationship with him and his beloved wife and their family has been through the lens of struggle, especially struggle for a better Kenya…he is irreplaceable. We will learn and continue in the lessons that he taught us,” she said while speaking to NTV.
Asked about their last conversation, Orengo’s wife said:
The last conversation we had was about our Siaya International Trade and Investment Conference (SITICO 2025), which was to happen today, October 16. That is what we spoke about last, and he was interested in the role that I was playing in the conference.
Betty said that she and Raila spoke more often, sharing that she had a lot of memorable things about Raila.
“He was full of love. He was a loving and kind person, and he expressed that in so many ways. For example, if you were bereaved, he would be the first person to call you, if you ha his love and sacrifice for Kenyans tended to take away a kind of appreciate about how much he also loved his friends. It is painful,” an emotional Betty shared.
Below is the video:
Where is Raila Odinga’s ally James Orengo?
The Siaya governor, who has been lying low lately, was first spotted in public on Wednesday, October 15, at Raila’s home for the first time in a while.
Orengo was also spotted at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday, October 16, viewing the body of Raila, who passed away in India.
Orengo, in a blue and white African print shirt and black trousers, was among the dignitaries who viewed Raila’s body at the VIP lounge.
Orengo paid an emotional tribute to Raila, describing him as a statesman whose legacy will carry on.
“Words fail me to express the shock, deep sorrow and immeasurable grief at the news of the untimely passing of my brother, my friend, my party leader, a statesman and a towering figure of Kenya’s second liberation, and the driving force behind the realisation of the 2010 Constitution,” he said.
The Siaya governor also announced that the SITICO 2025 conference and other county event had been put on hold to allow the residents of Siaya to mourn their son, Raila.
Source: Facebook
What to know about Raila Odinga’s death
Ida Odinga, children view Raila Odinga’s body
Earlier TUKO.co.ke reported that Ida Odinga paused for a few minutes while viewing the body of her husband of 50 years.
Ida then signalled two of her children, Rosemary and Ralia Junior, to move closer to the coffin.
The heartbroken son mumbled a few words and stretched his hand toward his father’s casket before leaving.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
