Raila Odinga's family lays a wreath at his grave /FILEPresident William Ruto, his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition figures are set to share a podium during the first anniversary of Raila Odinga’s death, a rare gathering of Kenya’s political heavyweights.
The anniversary is scheduled for Thursday, October 15, at Bondo, Siaya County.
The Star has established that Raila’s family has invited leaders across the political divide to join them at Migwena cultural and sports ground in Bondo to commemorate the former Prime Minister.
The possible meeting sets the stage for an unprecedented reunion of politicians who have taken sharply different positions ahead of the 2027 election.
Apart from Ruto and Uhuru, the Star is informed, the family has also invited, amongst others, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka alongside Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East lawmaker Babu Owino.
“Yes, the family has invited all their friends, including those in government and those who worked with Raila in ODM and during Handshake. It will not be a broad-based affair; we will have a mix,” a source at the committee told the Star.
The anniversary will also be attended by leaders from the region led by Governors James Orengo (Siaya), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay) and other elected leaders drawn from the region.
The event could provide the first public encounter between the leaders since the former Prime Minister’s death, adding political intrigue to what the family has presented as a day to celebrate his life and legacy.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has confirmed attending Thursday’s event, even as he claims a plot by some political leaders from the region to have him heckled and blocked from the event.
Speaking during an interview with Ramogi FM on Wednesday, Babu said some unnamed politicians are organising goons to ensure he does not access the venue.
He, however, promised to find his way to Migwena grounds and join Kenyans in celebrating the life of the veteran opposition leader.
“Raila left a rich legacy in this country. I will be attending Raila’s first anniversary celebrations on 15th October, though I am informed that they are organising goons to attack us,” Babu claimed.
Raila’s last-born daughter has already appealed to mourners and guests to exercise tolerance, acknowledging that the leaders expected at Ajigo do not belong to the same political camp.
Speaking during the handover and dedication of Raila’s mausoleum at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi on Wednesday, the legislator confirmed the family had invited Kenyans from across the political, ethnic and regional divide to join them in remembering Raila.
She said the event would bring together people with different political convictions, including guests from neighbouring countries and beyond.
“On October 15 we have invited people of different political inclinations, from different tribes and communities, from neighbouring countries and beyond to join us in celebrating the memory of Baba,” Winnie said.
She acknowledged that those attending the commemoration would not necessarily share the same political views, saying the family was not asking anyone to abandon their beliefs.
“We may hold different political convictions; we may disagree strongly about the direction of our country, but you are welcome here. Nobody is being asked to surrender their beliefs at the gate,” she said.
She appealed to those attending to ensure that October 15 does not become a platform for political competition or confrontation.
“Please let 15th be a day of remembrance and celebration. It should not become a political showground, a competition of who owns the crowd, who receives the loudest cheers or who can embarrass another guest.”
The appeal is seen as an attempt to prevent political differences from overshadowing the anniversary, particularly at a time when the 2027 presidential contest is getting emotional.
Area Governor Orengo, speaking during the official commissioning of the Raila Odinga Mausoleum at Kang’o KaJaramogi, welcomed everyone to the anniversary for a man he said was instrumental in opening up the country’s democratic space.
“You are all welcome to Siaya; I hope to see you all here during the celebrations,” Orengo said.
Orengo and Babu have been critical of the broad-based arrangement between President Ruto and ODM and are leading the anti-Ruto campaigns through the breakaway Linda Mwananchi movement headed by Senator Sifuna.
Ruto and Raila entered into a broad-based government arrangement before Raila’s death, while Uhuru remained closely associated with the former Prime Minister despite their changing political fortunes.
Sifuna and Kalonzo, meanwhile, have emerged as two of the leading figures in the opposition’s efforts to build a formidable alliance to challenge Ruto in 2027.
Kalonzo, twice Raila’s running mate, has announced he will not attend the anniversary, arguing that some forces want to exploit the political legacy of the former Prime Minister.
“I cannot accept people who rigged Raila out of victory coming here to dance on his grave and build a big mausoleum while celebrating as if Raila’s era is over. Raila is not finished,” Kalonzo said early this month when he visited Bondo.
“Only a few days remain before Raila’s museum is unveiled, and the whole world will be here. But from what I am hearing, I do not think I will come and join those people here. I will come on my own, just as I have come here today.”
The presence of the four leaders would therefore offer a powerful picture of Kenya’s shifting political landscape, with Raila’s legacy bringing together leaders who are otherwise positioned on opposite sides of the political divide.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The gathering could nevertheless generate significant political interest, particularly if the leaders use the occasion to make remarks touching on Raila’s unfinished agenda, his political legacy or the direction of the country after his death.
