- Raila Odinga passed away in India, where he had travelled to seek medical treatment, with the cause of death later being revealed
- Lang’ata MP Jalang’o travelled to Bondo to pay his respects at Raila’s grave and to console Mama Ida and her family
- Jalang’o shed tears at the graveside and later shared why Raila’s death had left him deeply devastated
The passing of former prime minister Raila Odinga left the nation in deep mourning, and even two weeks after his burial, grief continues to hang heavy among his supporters.
Source: Facebook
Raila suffered a fatal heart attack while on his routine morning walk in India, where he had travelled to seek medical treatment.
How did Jalang’o mourn Raila Odinga?
Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwour, popularly known as Jalang’o, was among the first politicians closely associated with Raila to mourn him after news of his death surfaced.
Recently, he returned to Bondo with an entourage from Lang’ata to pay his final respects to the fallen ODM leader in a deeply emotional ceremony.
In a series of emotional updates shared on his social media pages, Jalang’o was seen visiting Raila’s grave at the family mausoleum in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi.
He was dressed in all white and holding a flywhisk similar to the one Raila was famously known for.
He joined a crowd of mourners chanting “Jowi, Jowi,” a Luo cultural chant of honour and remembrance.
At one point, Jalang’o broke down in tears as the reality of losing his political mentor sank in.
He shared that the visit was a difficult but necessary step in accepting the loss of a man who had inspired his political journey.
“Today, I came to terms with the reality that Baba is truly gone. I led a delegation from Lang’ata to Bondo to pay homage at Baba’s grave, the longest-serving MP for Lang’ata, whose great shoes I now strive to fill,” Jalang’o wrote.
He continued:
“We visited both Kang’o Ka Jaramogi and Opoda Farm, where Mama Ida warmly welcomed us home. God bless Baba. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Photos and videos from the visit showed Jalang’o and his team consoling Mama Ida Odinga at the family’s Opoda Farm home.
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The Lang’ata MP also presented gifts, including bulls, to Raila’s widow and her family as a gesture of respect and solidarity.
Mama Ida praised Jalang’o for being a loyal ally and steadfast supporter of her late husband’s beliefs and political vision.
Watch the video below:
Netizens react to Jalang’o mourning Raila Odinga
Here are some of the messages netizens penned after watching Raila’s video:
Makete Maloso:
“Heavy J in style at Bondo.. good representation of Langata Bossy.”
Rachel James:
“Let us mourn even if it takes a year or two people mourn differently.”
Essy Nyayala Nyayala:
“When will I ever stop cutting onions Baba.”
Khadeji Dancan:
“Jowi Jowi will always be our hero. We shall continue mourning Agwambo even if it takes us 10 years.”
Source: Twitter
How did Linus Kaikai mourn Raila Odinga?
In related news, veteran Citizen TV journalist Linus Kaikai also paid a visit to Raila’s grave.
He shared photos alongside Mama Ida, with many Kenyans commending him for standing with them during this difficult time.
Other photos showed other journalists who had interacted with Raila over his political career at his grave, their faces etched in grief.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
