- President William Ruto opted for a working tour of two counties on the day thousands gathered in Bondo to mark one year since Raila Odinga's death
- Opposition politicians including Siaya Governor James Orengo, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, and Martha Karua attended the Migwena grounds ceremony
- Ruto paid tribute to the late ODM leader on Facebook, sharing a memorial graphic that attracted more than 115,000 likes
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
President William Ruto was absent from the memorial service held in Bondo, Siaya County, on Thursday, October 15, to mark one year since the death of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, choosing instead to undertake a working tour of Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties.
Thousands of Kenyans converged at Migwena grounds in Bondo to honour the late ODM leader, who died on October 15, 2025, aged 80, following a sudden cardiac arrest in India, where he had travelled for medical treatment. Raila collapsed during his morning walk and was taken to Devamatha Hospital, where he passed away despite resuscitation efforts.
Opposition Leaders Dominate Bondo Ceremony
The commemoration drew a strong showing from opposition figures, particularly those associated with the Linda Mwananchi faction. Siaya Governor James Orengo, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, and People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua were among the prominent attendees.
Raila's family urged those present not to turn the occasion into a political platform, calling on mourners to focus on his life and legacy.
The family had extended invitations to leaders across the political divide, though reports ahead of the event were divided on whether Ruto would attend.
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
Rather than travelling to Siaya, the President commissioned the NG-CDF office in Eldama Ravine in Baringo, and launched the Timboroa-Lawina Ochi road and last mile connectivity project in Poror.
In Keiyo South, Elgeyo Marakwet, he inspected the KSh 205 million Chepkorio Modern Market, designed to accommodate 200 traders, as well as the ESP market in the same area.
Ruto described the market as part of a broader KSh 12 billion investment in the county that would deliver 3,000 housing units, nine modern markets, and student hostels.
Ruto's Facebook Tribute and Mausoleum Commission
The President acknowledged the anniversary through a post on his Facebook page, sharing a memorial graphic of the late leader bearing the words "In Loving Memory of Baba Raila Amolo Odinga, 1945-2025."
The post had attracted more than 115,000 likes by the time this article was prepared.
Ruto had last visited Kang'o Ka Jaramogi on Wednesday, October 7, when he officially commissioned the Raila Amolo Odinga Mausoleum in Bondo.
Built by the Kenya Defence Forces under the supervision of the Ministry of Defence, the structure sits beside the grave of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya's first vice president and Raila's father.
Its pentagonal design references Raila's political journey and the Pentagon era in Kenyan politics.
Raila's remains had been flown back to Kenya aboard a Kenya Airways flight, arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on October 16, 2025.
Ruto authorised a state funeral with full military honours and declared seven days of national mourning, with flags flown at half-mast countrywide. He was buried on October 19, with the KDF offering a 17-gun salute during the state ceremonies.
Source: TUKO.co.ke