- Former prime minister Raila Odinga collapsed during a routine morning walk and died moments later at a private hospital in India
- Raila had been unwell for some weeks, but the news of his passing came at a time when the country was expecting him to return home after assurances from his close allies
- An ODM MP has disclosed that the 80-year-old politician had talked about his death before it eventually occurred in similar circumstances he had alluded to
The death of former prime minister Raila Odinga shocked the nation and threw millions of Kenyans into mourning.
Source: Getty Images
Although it was preceded by speculation about his health, many Kenyans were hoping that he would return home in good health, especially after assurances from the family and close allies that he was recuperating well in India.
However, the heartbreaking announcement of his passing on Wednesday, October 15, brought pain and grief to millions of his supporters across the country.
How did ODM MPs react to Raila Odinga’s death?
In the National Assembly, ODM MPs, a party he had led for a record 20 years, broke down in tears, words failing them and teary eyes betraying them.
Speaker Moses Wetang’ula was equally overcome with emotion and couldn’t wait any longer. He abruptly ended the morning session.
It was the anguish of a people left adrift by the man who had borne them through life’s fiercest political battles.
Their grief mirrored that of birds mourning the fall of the mighty tree that once gave them shade, safety and shelter.
But did Baba, as was fondly referred to by his fanatical supporters, know that his time was coming to an end? Did he have premonitions?
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has opened up about Raila’s premonitory message that prepared them for his possible departure.
What did Raila Odinga tell ODM MPs?
Kaluma, while referring to what the former prime minister said on that day, claimed perhaps he knew he would die, although it did not make sense to them at that time.
“I don’t know whether it was a premonition, but he said three times that if I were to collapse and die… no, he said if I were to collapse, then he said if I were to die, then he said if I were to collapse and die, this is the position of my community,” said the ODM lawmaker.
However, he declined to disclose what exactly Raila said about the political direction he wished ODM and the larger Luo Nyanza region to take in his absence.
“Let us mourn our king for now, but I can tell in 30 days, as we wait for juogi to settle in three months henceforth, we will be giving our people inklings in terms of his desire,” said the third-term legislator.
Kaluma is a stronger supporter of the broad-based government formed by President William Ruto and Raila to calm the political tension and storms that were caused by the Gen Z revolution of June 25, 2024.
He hinted that that was exactly what Raila wanted for the party and community.
“They are also not very well kept (the Inklings). You remember when Baba was in Karachuonyo for the burial of Phoebe Asiyo, he made some statements, and he did so in English, and he was very clear about where we are going,” said the outspoken MP.
What did Raila tell Nyanza supporters?
During the referenced Karachuonyo address, Raila asked his supporters, particularly from the Nyanza region, to rally behind the broad-based government, adding that he doesn’t regret that decision.
Raila collapsed during a routine morning walk and died moments later at a private hospital in India.
He was buried at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya county, on Sunday, October 19.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
