On Saturday, October 18, the Kenyan newspapers highlighted former prime minister Raila Odinga’s last lap as thousands of Kenyans paid tributes to him.
The dailies reported how his long-serving bodyguard, Maurice Ogeta, penned his boss an emotional tribute.
Source: UGC
1. The Star
The longtime personal bodyguard for the late ODM leader Raila Odinga, Maurice Ogeta, has paid a heartfelt tribute to his boss, comparing their connection to that of a father and son and describing it as more than just a professional one.
In his message, Ogeta reflected on the years he provided protection and steadfast dedication to the veteran politician.
He said the position was more than just a job; it was a path of personal development under the guidance of a man he greatly admired.
He credited Raila, whom he affectionately called “Jakom,” with influencing his life and career.
“Jakom, the commitment in the years-old service to and under you, and the undeniably very close nexus blossomed to both comradeship of trust and a near father-son relationship,” Ogeta mourned.
Ogeta, who stood with Raila during innumerable political rallies, campaigns, and even times when he was in danger, said that as mutual trust developed, their bond grew deeper with time.
Earlier, Ogeta sobbed during the viewing of the former prime minister’s body, setting off an emotional scene at Parliament.
In a moment that cut beyond political boundaries, he embraced President William Ruto with the support of Narok senator Ledama Olekina.
2. Daily Nation
Luo funerals have long been known for their opulence, with weeks-long festivities, mounting mortuary expenses, communal mourning and feasting that turn loss into a shared experience.
However, controversy has been raised over Raila’s 72-hour funeral, whose politics and life have long reflected Luo customs.
Plans for a high-profile funeral within 72 hours of death have been made for the second time, which is a major break from custom for the Luo community.
This last occurred in 2024, when Francis Ogolla, the late Chief of Defence Forces, was buried two days after his passing.
Ogolla even requested in his last wish that he be wrapped in fabric instead of being placed in a conventional coffin, the most basic of funeral rites.
Now, significant discussions concerning the nexus of tradition, modernity, and individual will have been reignited by Raila’s hasty burial.
Could this signal the start of a decline in the elaborate Luo funeral traditions?
3. The Standard
Raila ruled the stage, even in death.
Thousands of citizens, dignitaries, and both past and current heads of state attended his farewell ceremony, which took place at the Nyayo National Stadium, capturing the spirit of the country under a gloomy, rainy sky.
The event, which was characterised by formal pomp and intensely personal accolades, showed the essence of a man whose career was shaped by his fight for liberty, his role in holding succeeding governments accountable, and his close ties to the populace.
The country said a final, heartfelt goodbye to the enigma.
Despite never being elected president, Raila’s immense influence on Kenyan politics was demonstrated by the fact that he was accorded a state funeral.
4. People Daily
As the nation continues to mourn Raila’s passing, hundreds of locals gathered at Kisumu’s Kondele roundabout to pay tribute to a man they saw as both kin and a political star.
Deep into the night, the vigil served as both a political statement and an emotional farewell.
For many people in Kondele, this was a farewell to a leader whose presence had influenced their lives and whose voice had reverberated through their streets for decades; it went beyond simple grieving.
Long regarded as the centre of Raila’s political base, the roundabout was transformed into a place of candlelit awe.
The Luo community’s rallying cry, “Jowi, Jowi,” which compares a person to a buffalo, a representation of unrivalled power and tenacity, was sung by mourners.
5. Taifa Leo
In a rare acknowledgement on Friday, October 17, President William Ruto acknowledged that without Raila’s intervention, Kenya’s democracy and his leadership may not have survived the 2024 Gen-Z protests.
Ruto reflected on his lengthy and complex connection with Raila during the former prime minister’s state funeral at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.
This included their time together in the ODM Pentagon, their time on opposing sides in elections, and their eventual “crossing of paths” in July 2024.
“Odinga stood beside me, this time to steady the nation and help anchor my leadership, culminating in the birth of the broad-based government,” the president admitted.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
