- Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga posted a heartfelt tribute to mark one year since Raila Odinga's death on October 15
- Wanga credited Raila with shaping her political career, saying she owed much of her success to his belief in her
- The governor pledged to protect ODM's unity and advance Raila's vision ahead of the 2027 General Election
Nancy Odindo is a current affairs writer at Tuko.co.ke (joined in 2023). She has one year of experience in print and more than five years in digital media.
Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga has marked one year since the death of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga with a deeply personal tribute, pledging to honour his legacy by keeping the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) united and competitive ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Source: Facebook
Wanga published the tribute on Facebook on Thursday, October 15, the first anniversary of Raila's passing.
Raila died on October 15, 2025, in Kerala, India, after suffering a cardiac arrest during his routine morning walk. He was widely regarded as a statesman, the father of devolution and democracy in Kenya, and one of the country's most enduring political figures.
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Kenyans converged at his home in Bondo to mark the anniversary of his death.
Wanga credits Raila for her political rise
In the tribute, Wanga described her relationship with Raila as deeply personal, saying she owed a significant part of her political career to his mentorship and trust.
"My relationship with Baba was deeply personal. Whatever I have achieved in politics, I owe in large measure to his belief in me. He gave me a platform, held my hand, and opened doors that helped shape my political journey," Wanga wrote.
She recalled how Raila, in his final years, spoke passionately about building ODM into a party that would outlive its founder, grow stronger across the country, and remain anchored in the values of democracy, justice, equity, and inclusion.
A pledge to Raila's vision for 2027
Wanga said that since Raila's departure, the responsibility of guiding ODM forward had fallen on those he left behind, and that the task was bigger than any individual ambition.
"We owe it to Baba to protect the unity of ODM, strengthen its national reach, uphold its founding ideals, and prepare it to compete effectively in 2027. Our duty is not merely to preserve his legacy in words but to advance the vision for which he dedicated his life," she wrote.
The governor also referenced Raila's belief in political partnerships and national cooperation, noting that he had remained hopeful, even in his final days, that ODM would lead a coalition capable of forming the next government.
"Baba may be gone, but the ideals he championed remain alive in the hearts of millions. The most fitting tribute we can offer him is to keep his dream alive and build the just, democratic, inclusive, and prosperous Kenya he fought for throughout his life," Wanga added.
Raila served as prime minister between 2008 and 2013 under the grand coalition government and ran for the presidency on multiple occasions. He remained one of Kenya's most influential opposition figures before his death.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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