- Winnie told his father that he was not only a father to his family but a leader and a friend to the people of Kenya.
East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Winnie Odinga has honoured her father, former prime minister Raila Odinga, recalling her last memories with him in India.
Winnie said on Thursday that the last conversation she had with Mr. Odinga made her wish she had expressed her love to him before leaving.
“Imagine I would argue with you about politics, about the country, about almost anything but those little words defeated me,” Winnie said.
“I feel you more when I am with your people, when they talk about you, I feel you in there,” Winnie said.
Winnie told his father that he was not only a father to his family but a leader and a friend to the people of Kenya.
The EALA MP thanked the public, friends and family who have been taking care of her family since Raila died a year ago.
She addressed her silence over the past few months, saying she was only mourning her father.
“Kumpoteza baba ilinivunja moyo sana, nilidhani nitaomboleza kwa mwezi moja alafu nitarudi but grief does not look at the calendar,” Winnie said.
She said there are days she had words but no strength to say them, strength but no words, but there are days she needed to breathe.
“Ata nilipokuwa kimya niliskia maswali yenyu, utungu kwenyu na watu wakitafuta wataeka matumaini yao,” she said.
Raila died on October 15, 2025, aged 80, while receiving medical treatment in India.
He was later buried at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, where the mausoleum dedicated to him and his father, Kenya’s first Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, now stands.