In an emotional address that has captivated Kenyans, Mama Ida Odinga, widow of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, disclosed that her husband’s directive to be buried within just 72 hours of his death came as a complete and unexpected surprise to the entire family.
Speaking at a poignant memorial event in Karen on January 30, where Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei handed over bound volumes of international condolence messages, Mama Ida reflected on the whirlwind surrounding Raila’s passing in 2025.
“We didn’t expect Raila to die at this time. It came to us as a surprise, and with it came another surprise that he had asked to be buried within 72 hours,” she said, her voice carrying the weight of both grief and gratitude. “I don’t know when he wrote this message or whether he wrote it in Kenya or somewhere else.”
The 72-hour timeline—detailed in Raila’s will—proved particularly challenging in a cultural context where Luo community funerals and national tributes often span weeks with elaborate preparations. The revelation left the family “in a spin,” racing against the clock to honor his final wish while coordinating a dignified state-assisted burial next to his mother’s grave in Kang’o ka Jaramogi.
Mama Ida expressed profound appreciation to President William Ruto for stepping in decisively. “For us to beat that time, we are most grateful to His Excellency President William Samoei Ruto, who stood in strongly to make sure that his will was honoured,” she noted.
Looking back on their 52-year journey together, she described life with Raila as “great fun,” marked by ups and downs but ultimately “the best thing that happened to me.” She remembered him fondly as a loving husband and father, and reaffirmed the family’s dedication to safeguarding his towering legacy—including plans for a museum in Bondo.
The disclosure arrives amid fresh developments: President Ruto has nominated Mama Ida as Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), a role pending parliamentary approval. As an accomplished educationist, civic leader, and champion for social justice and gender equity, she stands ready to elevate Kenya’s global environmental advocacy.
Raila Odinga’s swift burial, in line with his personal directive, sparked nationwide reflection on tradition, legacy, and the personal touches even towering figures leave behind. Mama Ida thanked Kenyans and the global community for their enduring support, emphasizing that their home remains open to visitors paying respects.
The revelation not only humanizes the Odinga family’s private moments of surprise and adjustment but also underscores Raila’s characteristic foresight—planning his farewell with the same decisiveness that defined his decades-long political career.
