President William Ruto leads the unveiling of the Raila Odinga Mausoleum at the Kang'o Ka jaramogi in Bondo, October 7, 20216. /PCSSiaya Senator Oburu Odinga has said the Raila Odinga Mausoleum will serve as a reminder to future generations of the price of liberty and the value of national unity championed by his late brother during his lifetime.
In a message read on his behalf by his eldest son, Jaoko Oburu, during a prayer service in memory of Raila, Oburu said the mausoleum was more than a resting place.
"This mausoleum is not just a place of rest, it stands proudly as a living centre of democracy. It is a monument dedicated to the ideals of freedom, constitutionalism and relentless pursuit of justice that my brother championed throughout his life," he said.
"It will serve as a beacon for future generations to learn the price of liberty and the value of national unity," he added.
Oburu did not attend the ceremony as he recovers after receiving treatment at Nairobi Hospital.
In his message, he said his condition had improved significantly and that he was on bed rest on his doctor's advice.
"However, I want to assure you as I take this rest, my spirit, my mind and my heart are fully present. I'm keenly aware of every detail of today's ceremony and I share the exact same commitment to this cause."
On Raila's political legacy, Oburu said his decision to enter into a working relationship with the Kenya Kwanza administration was rooted in the Odinga family's multigenerational pursuit of national unity, which he said was started by the family's patriarch, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
"Jaramogi sacrificed comfort, status and freedom to fight for internal self governance, institutional reforms and the birth of multiparty democracy. My brother Raila Amolo Odinga took that torch from Jaramogi's hands and bore it through the dark decades of second liberation struggles, institutional changes and the realisation of the 2010 Constitution," he said.
Oburu said ODM's participation in the broad-based government demonstrated political maturity that had stabilised the political environment and accelerated critical national development.
He cited the creation of the National Infrastructure Fund, the Universal Health Coverage agenda, the fertiliser subsidy programme and expansion of education reforms, including efforts to address the teacher shortage.
"This proves that when we pool our leadership for the collective good, Kenya wins," he said.
Oburu's message came as the Raila Odinga Mausoleum was formally handed over and commissioned at Kang'o ka Jaramogi in Bondo ahead of the first anniversary of the former Prime Minister's death on October 15.
The facility is expected to open to members of the public from Thursday, October 8, even as the government provided live-viewing screens in Bondo town for those who were unable to access the mausoleum grounds.
The main public memorial service will be held on October 15 as part of the month-long Mwezi wa Baba commemorations, giving Kenyans an opportunity to honour Raila's legacy and reflect on the ideals of democracy, constitutionalism and national unity that defined his political career.
