Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga has spoken candidly about what she described as the painful irony surrounding the late Raila Odinga’s final days — that much of the love and admiration now being expressed toward him came too late.
Speaking on Saturday, October 18, Ruth reflected on how her brother, the late former Prime Minister and ODM leader, had been perceived by sections of the younger generation before his death.
“Raila died knowing that Gen Zs preferred him dead. Gen Zs are now pouring their love for him when he is dead. He would have loved you people to have more love,” Ruth said emotionally, her voice breaking as she addressed mourners.
She added: “For those who said those things when he was still alive, it was really wrong. For those who have shown love right now, you didn’t know the reality would be this. The loss is for Kenya.”
Her remarks came amid a nationwide outpouring of grief and admiration for the fallen statesman, whose lifelong pursuit of democracy, equity, and national unity had earned him both staunch supporters and fierce critics across generations.
Changing Generational Perceptions
A year before Raila’s passing, an Infotrak poll in October 2024 highlighted the shifting social dynamics between generations. According to the survey, Generation Z ranked as Kenya’s top national heroes at 23%, followed by Raila Odinga at 18%.
“The survey highlighted Generation Z’s significant impact on Kenya, with 23% of respondents viewing them as emerging national heroes due to their contributions to environmental activism, social justice, and technological solutions,” the report stated.
Still, Raila remained one of the most frequently mentioned individual heroes, commanding 30% admiration in Nyanza, 23% in Western, and 22% at the Coast — a testament to his enduring influence beyond party lines and political eras.
Political analysts have since observed that Ruth’s comments capture a deep generational tension in Kenyan politics — one that Raila himself often sought to bridge. His later years were marked by outreach to youth movements and digital activists, though some remained skeptical of his methods and legacy.
Winnie Odinga Reveals Father’s Final Moments
Meanwhile, during the solemn state funeral held on Friday, October 17, Raila’s youngest daughter, Winnie Odinga, offered a deeply personal recollection of her father’s final moments — dispelling rumors that had swirled on social media.
“I was with him when he took his last breath. He died in my arms,” she said softly. “But he did not die like people have been saying on social media. Every day he woke up and walked. He would do one round, sometimes two. That morning, he did five rounds.”
Winnie painted a portrait of a man whose last day mirrored his life — driven, resilient, and proud.
“He died strong and with dignity and with pride. We all must walk with our heads held high, as he left as a gentleman,” she said to a standing ovation from mourners gathered at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo.
On behalf of the Odinga family, she expressed deep gratitude to Kenyans across the country for their solidarity and grief.
“As a family, we thank all of you from Turkana to Lamu, from Isiolo to the shores of Lake Victoria,” she said, concluding with a stirring line that echoed across the crowd: “The King is dead, but long live the crown.”
As Kenya continues to mourn, Ruth’s words serve as a sobering reminder of how quickly public sentiment can shift — and how even the most revered leaders often experience the loneliness of misunderstood greatness in their final days.
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