A 22-year-old Kisumu woman, Lavender Wesonga, holds the pillar in tribute to Raila Odinga./SCREENGRAB
A 22-year-old woman from Kisumu has completed a gruelling 72-hour pillar-hugging challenge in honour of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, pushing through exhaustion and harsh weather to pay tribute to the man she called Baba.
Lavender Wesonga finished the challenge at 3.20 pm yesterday at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Complex in Kisumu, having held onto the pillar for three consecutive days.
The 72 hours symbolised the period between Raila’s death and his burial.
Shortly after completing the challenge, Wesonga said the tribute was her way of expressing grief and celebrating Raila’s legacy.
“I am happy to finish this challenge in honour of Raila Odinga. I will continue upholding his legacy. Baba loved everyone, regardless of where they came from, and I will miss him,” she said.
She was later taken to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital for medical attention.
On Friday, October 9, shortly after she began the challenge, Wesonga appeared determined to see it through. By Monday afternoon, she looked visibly exhausted, with swollen, pale feet after three days of enduring the physical demands of the exercise.
Wesonga had painted the pillar white to represent peace, a value she associated with the late opposition leader. She hoped her tribute would inspire Kenyans to embrace harmony, democracy and justice.
Her father, who witnessed her complete the challenge, expressed relief and pride. He admitted he had initially doubted whether she would manage to endure the full 72 hours.
Wesonga, who is unemployed, appealed to the government and well-wishers to help her secure a job. She described Raila as a leader who championed youth empowerment.
Meanwhile, Raila’s younger sister, Emily Oginga, urged young people to take up the fight for change and good governance, saying Wesonga’s determination reflected values her brother stood for.
“Raila once said that young people can be a blessing or a ticking time bomb,” Emily said, challenging the youth to carry forward his vision.
She expressed hope that another leader like Raila would emerge from the younger generation.
Emily added that her brother’s death had revealed the depth of affection Kenyans had for him. She said visits to Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo had been particularly moving.
She also pledged to help Wesonga attend commemorative activities, including a candle-lighting ceremony scheduled for October 14.
Raila died on October 15, 2025, aged 80, while receiving medical treatment in India. His death was followed by a state funeral and nationwide mourning, before he was buried at his family home in Bondo, Siaya County.
The ODM party has designated October as “Mwezi wa Baba” and lined up a series of activities across the country, which began with a candle-lighting exercise in Nairobi on October 2 and a major memorial rally in Kakamega on October 9.
The party has since held a major memorial rally in Kakamega, bringing together supporters from Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia.
Family-led activities also began from October 10 to 15 before the Bondo memorial.
The programme will resume after the Bondo event, with ODM scheduled to hold activities in Garissa on October 17, followed by events in the Coast region on October 18 and 19.
