SIAYA, Kenya — Ida Odinga has expressed disappointment with sections of the political class following disruptions at the October 15 commemoration at Migwena Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County, saying the incidents disrespected the Odinga family, Raila’s memory and thousands of mourners who attended peacefully.
In a statement issued on Saturday, October 17, the former Prime Minister’s widow said reports that people may have been transported to the gathering and paid to heckle or intimidate invited guests were deeply disturbing.
“Reports that individuals may have been paid and transported to the gathering for the purpose of heckling, intimidating or disrupting invited guests are deeply disturbing,” she said.
Ida offered an unreserved apology to those who faced hostility, saying they had attended to stand with the family during a deeply personal moment and deserved to be treated with courtesy, warmth and respect.
“On behalf of the Odinga family, I offer our sincere and unreserved apologies. You came to stand with us at a deeply personal moment, and you deserved to be received with courtesy, warmth and respect,” she said.
Ida defends invitations across political divide
Ida maintained that the family had welcomed all guests invited to the memorial, regardless of their political affiliations, explaining that the guest list reflected the relationships Raila had built throughout his public life.
“The Odinga family has no quarrel with any of them,” she said.
She stressed that invitations to the family commemoration were an expression of fellowship rather than a political test, adding that neither attending nor missing the event should be interpreted as a sign of disagreement with the family.
The position came amid political tensions surrounding the anniversary gathering, with some prominent leaders absent and sections of the crowd heckling guests. The ceremony had been intended to honour Raila’s life and his contribution to Kenya’s political and democratic history.
Ida urged political leaders to take responsibility for the conduct of their supporters and prevent political disagreements from escalating into hostility.
“Political leaders have a special responsibility to exercise restraint, uphold order and ensure that their supporters respect the dignity of others, even where political differences exist,” she stated.
‘His resting place must never become a battleground’
Ida warned against using Raila’s memorial and resting place as a platform for political confrontation, saying the family’s grief should not be exploited to settle political scores.
“His resting place must never become a battleground for political rivalries. Neither should our family’s grief be turned into an occasion for settling political scores,” she said.
Reflecting on more than 50 years of marriage to Raila, she described him as a man who defended the freedom to disagree, challenged authority and endured political persecution while recognising the importance of dialogue and reconciliation.
She said those seeking to honour his legacy should embrace the values he upheld, including the ability of people with differing opinions to sit together without treating one another as enemies.
The message reinforced the family’s position that Raila’s political legacy extended beyond party loyalties and personal disagreements.
Family thanks Kenyans, President Ruto
The Odinga family also thanked Kenyans and visitors from across Africa and beyond who travelled to Bondo to commemorate Raila’s life through prayers, songs, dances and shared memories.
Ida acknowledged the work of the Raila Amolo Odinga Memorial National Steering Committee, religious leaders, performers, volunteers and service providers who helped organise the anniversary events.
She also thanked President William Ruto for supporting the family, particularly in the construction and completion of Raila’s mausoleum.
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Raila died on October 15, 2025, aged 80, while receiving medical attention in India. His death prompted tributes from across Kenya and internationally, reflecting his decades-long influence on the country’s political landscape.
His first death anniversary brought together mourners and political figures from different backgrounds, but the disruptions at Migwena Grounds also exposed the challenges of keeping a family commemoration separate from the political rivalries surrounding his legacy.
Police separately arrested five suspects following a disturbance at the gathering, according to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. The arrests followed an incident in which officers intervened to restore order and recovered several weapons, including a machete, a sword and a knife.
Ida’s appeal was for the occasion to be remembered for Raila’s life and values rather than confrontation, urging political leaders and their supporters to respect the family, fellow mourners and people with opposing political views.
