- Dennis Onyango revealed that Raila Odinga left him with personal instructions and unfinished projects before his death
- Among the tasks was a final biography Raila planned to write, focused on Pan-Africanism rather than his political battles
- Onyango shared that Raila rejected attempts to defend his legacy, saying history would judge his intentions
- The longtime aide said he now holds Raila’s private notes and plans to complete the assignments the former PM outlined
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Dennis Onyango, the longtime spokesperson to late Raila Odinga, has opened up about the final instructions the veteran politician gave him before his death.
Source: Youtube
Onyango revealed a mix of unfinished projects, historical reflections, and a deep commitment to Pan-African ideals.
What were Raila’s final instructions to Onyango?
During an interview, Onyango described a series of tasks Raila entrusted to him, leaving him both honoured and uncertain about the next steps.
Onyango recounted that the conversation came during Raila’s last days before leaving for India, where he eventually died.
Despite having other books written about him, Onyango revealed that the former prime minister was keen to have another biography written.
“We had talked about his collection of his speeches, we had talked about them before, but we talked about them on this day also. ‘Please put those speeches together and I will do them. Selected speeches of Raila Odinga, I will do that. He was working on a biography. We had started talking about it before; in fact, that biography was the reason I was there on that day,” Onyango said.
The biography project involved a writer flown in from South Africa, whose arrival Raila personally coordinated.
“He called me the day before, said the guy was coming at 9 am, and he wanted me there. We discussed what this final biography should entail,” Onyango said.
Differences of opinion emerged over how the story should be told as Onyango wanted a more explanatory account, retracing the journey and contextualising events.
Raila, however, insisted that his life had already been chronicled in his previous books and that this project should focus on broader lessons.
“He told me, no, no, no, I have lived my life. I’ve written the two books about me. I know you are worried about what people are saying about whether you betrayed people, those kind of things, the insults, and he told me very clearly that those things you are worried about, history will sort out. History will know whether I meant well or I didn’t mean well. So leave that out,” Onyango explained.
What did Raila want documented in his biography?
Instead, Raila wanted the new book to focus purely on Pan-Africanism and Africa’s unfinished journey.
Even on routine trips abroad, Raila’s attention to detail left a lasting impression as Onyango described their last visit to Germany.
The journalist by profession recalled that Raila asked him to take meticulous notes of his experiences and observations.
“Actually, I don’t know what he wanted me to do with that information. First of all, when we were going, I was not very clear. Do you really need me? Because I used to accompany him on trips that looked fundamental, where he would need to make fundamental statements, but I could see this was just a journey down memory lane. But he insisted I had to go, so I went and insisted; that was the only occasion when he asked me to take notes. So what I want to do with that, I still don’t know,” Onyango said.
Those notes captured Raila’s academic achievements, his residence on Lumumba Street, and confirmations from professors, precious parts of history now in Onyango’s care.
Source: UGC
Onyango is now left to determine how to handle the wealth of material the former premier entrusted to him.
While a biography of Achieng’ Oneko, a member of the Kapenguria Six, is also on his list, Raila’s foresight ensured Onyango had clear instructions on what to write.
“Raila was to write the foreword. He gave instructions on what is to go in that book, and I think it will be launched in December,” Onyango said.
Onyango emphasised that completing these tasks is not just a professional duty but a personal mission.
He reaffirmed that he would only find peace after completing the tasks before him, stating that he wasn’t sure about writing his own book about the veteran politician.
“Whether I write a book about Raila, I may not, but I want to complete whatever he wanted to be completed. The one he wanted to complete, I will have to complete,” he said.
How did Raila prepare for his death?
As earlier reported, Onyango said that as early as February 2024, Raila acted as if he realised his era was drawing to a close.
Onyango joined Raila on a trip to Germany, where he revisited his former schools and repeatedly asked for notes and records, signs Onyango interpreted as efforts to “tie loose ends”.
By September 2024, Raila discussed posthumous plans: he rejected a personal mausoleum and instead supported legacy projects through the family’s museum.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
