- Ida maintained that her late husband was ever willing to forego his political agitations for peace to thrive.
Ida Odinga, wife of the late Raila Odinga, has urged Kenyans to emulate the principles the late premier upheld through his political journey.
Speaking during Raila's death anniversary in Siaya County on Thursday, Ida maintained that her late husband was always willing to forego his political agitations for peace to thrive.
She said that the former Prime Minister, famously known as 'Baba', remained a bastion of astute leadership despite facing harsh criticism from his political nemesis and different administrations.
"Baba held his conviction fiercely yet he sat across the table from those opposing him and hate him. If you think somebody is your enemy, it should not stop you from loving them again. I watched his face as he forgave them," she said.
She also called on the youth to practice restraint, and peacefully agitate for change in lawful channels, just as Raila encouraged them to do.
"To young people, do not let your passion turn into weapons. Don't harm one another because they do not believe in what we believe in," he said.
The widow, however, warned against individuals who seek to take advantage of Raila's prominence to gain individual prominence, asserting that his legacy cannot be manipulated.
"In months ahead, voices will rise in his name. Some will speak out of love, some out of convenience. Legacy is not inherited, it will live on and Raila's will live on," she noted.
"I thank the people who carry the dream of baba forward."
Mourning her husband, she narrated how the memories of her lifelong partner remain lingering in her household as his absence has remained
"It is difficult for me to think it has been a year because it still feels like he left the other day,' she said.
"In the evenings, sometimes I leave the door open, hoping he is going to come in and the door remained open for a long time. Later, I realized he is not coming back and I closed the door. Every time we are in the house we still hope we will hear steps of him coming in."
She thanked friends of the family who have supported them since Odinga's death on October 15, 2025.
He breathed his last in India while receiving medical attention.
The political heavyweight was 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.