I leave the door open waiting for Raila each day, Ida recounts year of heartbreak

Ida Odinga with other leaders in Bondo on October on 15, 2026/COURTES

A year after Raila Odinga's death, his widow Ida Odinga still leaves the door open at night, hoping against hope that her husband will walk back.

“Sometimes, Baba used to come back late in the evening; I would leave the door open, and he would walk in,” Ida said.

“I still leave the door open hoping that he's going to come in, and the door remains open for a very long time. Then later I realise he's not coming back and I go and close the door.”

In an emotional speech during the first anniversary of Raila's death at Migwena grounds in Bondo on Thursday, Ida opened up about her painful struggle to accept life without the man she married more than 50 years ago.

She revealed that even after 12 months, the family still struggles with the reality that the former Prime Minister is gone forever.

“Every time we're in the house quietly, we still hope we are going to listen to his steps coming in. When the morning comes, the first thing we think is we are going to see him, but he's not there,” she said.

For Ida and the children, the passage of time has done little to ease the pain.

“I once knew, and I thought, and I know that a year takes 12 months, but it is very difficult for me to think that it is a year since he left, because to me and to some of us it is just like it was yesterday that he left,” she said.

Ida, who stood beside Raila through decades of political struggles, detention, electoral defeats and triumphs, said she has been putting on a brave face despite the overwhelming grief.

“People do ask me how I am; I tell them I'm fine, I'm strong. I'm strong because of you people; you are strong for me,” she said.

Ida said that the family's grief was compounded by another devastating loss, that of Beryl Achieng, Raila's sister, just 40 days after the death of the former PM.

“These two losses within a period of 40 days were too much for the family,” she said.

“And that is why if you see the family is not excited the way some of you are excited, you should know it has been very heavy on our heart.”

But perhaps her most painful words came when she recalled how she had entrusted Raila to Kenyans during the December 10, 2021, Azimio la Umoja convention at Kasarani.

At the time, she had symbolically released her husband to pursue his political ambitions, asking Kenyans to protect him.

“Today, I'm sorry to report that I gave him to you alive, but you gave him back to me in a coffin,” she said.

The heartbreaking reflections were echoed by Raila's daughter, Winnie Odinga, who revealed a painful regret that has haunted her since their last conversation in India.

Winnie disclosed that she had wanted to tell her father she loved him but held back, fearing she would become too emotional.

“The last time we spoke exactly one year ago in India, we spoke so deeply,” Winnie recalled.

“When I was leaving, I wanted to tell him that, Dad, I love you but I thought now you're becoming too emotional. So, I held it.”

“Imagine that I could argue with you about politics, about the country, about almost anything but those three little words defeated me,” she said.

Winnie admitted that her father's death had devastated her more than she had anticipated.

“First, my dad's death brought me down. I thought I would mourn for one month but that was never to be,” she said.

She said she now finds comfort among Raila's supporters, whose memories and stories keep his presence alive.

“Dad, I feel you most when I am with your people,” she said.

For Raila Odinga Junior, the memories are equally painful.

He recalled a father who could electrify thousands at political rallies before returning home to enjoy quiet moments with his children.

“I still see him walking out of our family house, leaving for his many assignments and arriving back at home,” Junior said.

“For Baba was that man who would fill a stadium with hope and then come home to sit quietly with his family.”

He said the family continues to feel the weight of Raila's absence, even as it struggles to preserve his legacy.

“One year without Baba is like a stadium full of people, but without the main speaker,” he said.

In a moving message to his departed father, Junior assured him that the family was holding together.

“Baba, your children are fine. Your grandchildren are okay. Min Piny is fine. She is continuing with the work though she misses you so much,” he said.

Amid the grief, Ida appealed to Kenyans to honour Raila's memory through peace, tolerance and love rather than political hostility.

She urged supporters not to turn their affection for the departed opposition leader into hatred against those holding different political opinions.

“Do not let your love for Baba turn into a weapon because weapon is meant to harm,” she pleaded.

She also warned political leaders against exploiting Raila's name for personal gain.

“Some will speak out of love, some will speak out of convenience. Legacy is not inherited. It is not to be spent,” she said.

Raila’s younger sister, Ruth Odinga, said she would defend his brother’s legacy, and called on Raila’s supporters to also do so with zeal.

“Raila ensured that every Kenyan had the right to say whatever they want to say. He sacrificed for it. He forfeited the presidency for it. That is why I always say that what Raila stood for should remain.”