Karua visits Raila’s grave, pledges to carry forward his dream

“I reaffirm my commitment to the unfinished dream we shared of a Kenya anchored in truth, integrity, and freedom,” she stated. “Rest well, Kinara. We will carry the torch forward.” 

Mama Ida Odinga, who has been at the centre of the family’s political and social life for decades, received the leaders at the Odinga homestead.

The delegation spent time with her before proceeding to the gravesite, where they sang liberation songs, offered prayers, and reflected on Raila’s enduring influence on Kenya’s political landscape.

People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua on Monday paid a heartfelt tribute to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

She visited his final resting place at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County, and laying a wreath in his honour.

Karua, who was Raila’s running mate in the 2022 general election, described the visit as a moment of reflection and renewal of commitment to the ideals they both championed during Kenya’s long struggle for democracy.

“I came here in honour of my comrade and brother in the long march for Kenya’s liberation,” Karua said. “We fought shoulder to shoulder for democracy and justice — sometimes from different camps, but always for the same cause: the freedom and dignity of our people.”

Accompanied by former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, PLP Secretary-General Asha Bashir, and several women political leaders, Karua said the journey she shared with Raila was one defined by courage, conviction, and sacrifice.

Karua spoke emotionally about her long friendship with Raila and Mama Ida, recalling their shared experiences during the turbulent 1990s when they both risked imprisonment and political persecution during Kenya’s Second Liberation.

“Mama Ida and I have shared many moments alongside Raila in the long and difficult journey of Kenya’s Second Liberation — during the struggle for democracy, justice, and human dignity that defined our generation,” Karua wrote in a note shared later.

“As we mourn a comrade and a patriot, we also renew our commitment to the ideals he lived and fought for. His legacy reminds us that the work of liberation is not complete, and it is upon us to carry it forward with courage and fidelity.”

The visit comes after Raila’s burial on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at his ancestral home in Bondo.

The private ceremony was attended by close family members, national leaders, and long-time allies, marking the end of an era for a man who spent decades shaping Kenya’s political discourse and leading the charge for democratic reforms.

His passing has since turned Bondo into a national pilgrimage site, as leaders from across the political divide, religious institutions, and regional communities continue to visit to pay their respects.

The steady stream of mourners—including politicians, diplomats, and members of the clergy—reflects the deep national reverence for Raila’s contribution to Kenya’s political transformation.