Maraga Joins Ida Odinga in Bondo to Honour Raila Odinga One Year After His Death, as Leaders and Supporters Celebrate His Democratic Legacy, Political Influence and Enduring Contribution to Kenya’s History.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has joined Ida Odinga and other mourners in Bondo, Siaya County, as Kenya marks the first anniversary of the death of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga. The gathering brings together family members, political leaders, friends and supporters to honour a man whose influence shaped the country’s political history for decades.
The anniversary, marked on Thursday, October 15, 2026, comes exactly one year after Raila died in India at the age of 80. His death left a significant gap in Kenya’s political landscape, with tributes continuing to highlight his contribution to democratic reforms, multiparty politics and the struggle for greater political participation.
Maraga’s presence alongside Ida at the commemoration adds to the gathering of prominent Kenyans who have come together to remember the former Prime Minister. The anniversary is not only an opportunity to mourn his passing but also a moment to reflect on the values, political struggles and national conversations associated with his long public life.
Bondo Becomes the Centre of National Remembrance
Bondo has become the focal point of the anniversary celebrations, with mourners travelling to the area to pay tribute to the late opposition leader. The main memorial gathering is being held at Migwena Cultural and Sports Grounds, where the Odinga family, political leaders and members of the public are expected to celebrate Raila’s life and reflect on his legacy.
The memorial follows several days of commemorative activities organised by the Raila Odinga Memorial Anniversary Committee and other groups. The programme has included an intergenerational dialogue in Kisumu and a candle-lighting ceremony at Kang’o ka Jaramogi, the Odinga family home and the site of Raila’s mausoleum.
On Wednesday evening, October 14, Ida led family members and supporters in a candle-lighting ceremony at Kang’o ka Jaramogi. The event featured prayers, Scripture readings, gospel music and worship, providing a moment for reflection ahead of the main anniversary gathering.
The ceremony also highlighted the personal loss experienced by the Odinga family. Ida spoke about the shock of losing her husband, revealing that the two had spoken on the telephone the night before his death. She said she had not anticipated that their conversation would be their last.
Her reflections offered a reminder that beyond the political figure remembered by millions, Raila was also a husband, father, relative and friend whose absence continues to affect those who knew him personally.
Ida has repeatedly urged Kenyans to remember her late husband across political, religious and community divisions. She has emphasised that different people experienced Raila in different ways, making his legacy broader than any single political party or group.
The anniversary programme was designed to encourage reflection, gratitude and national unity. Organisers have called on Kenyans to celebrate Raila’s contribution to public service while embracing the values he championed throughout his political career.
Maraga’s Presence Adds to the Gathering of Prominent Leaders
The gathering in Bondo has attracted attention because of the prominent figures associated with Raila’s political and public life. Maraga, who served as Kenya’s Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court, is among the notable names connected to the anniversary gathering.
His attendance places him among Kenyans reflecting on the life of a leader whose political journey intersected with major debates about constitutionalism, democratic governance and the country’s institutions.
Maraga served as Chief Justice from 2016 to 2021. During his tenure, the Supreme Court made a historic decision in 2017 when it annulled the presidential election results and ordered a fresh election. The ruling became one of the most consequential moments in Kenya’s electoral and constitutional history.
Raila was a central figure in the political contest surrounding that election, having challenged the presidential results through the courts. The Supreme Court’s decision brought the judiciary into the centre of national debate and demonstrated the importance of constitutional processes in resolving electoral disputes.
Although Maraga and Raila occupied different positions in public life, both became associated with important moments in Kenya’s democratic development. Their respective public roles continue to feature in discussions about electoral accountability, the independence of institutions and the rule of law.
Maraga’s reported presence at the anniversary also illustrates how Raila’s influence extended beyond his immediate political circle. His public life brought him into contact with leaders from different professions, institutions and political traditions.
The gathering provides an opportunity for people from varied backgrounds to reflect on the contributions of a leader who remained an influential figure in national affairs for decades.
Ida Odinga Calls for Unity as Kenyans Remember Raila
As preparations for the anniversary gathered momentum, Ida appealed to Kenyans to set aside their political differences and remember her husband with dignity.
She has maintained that Raila’s legacy belongs to people across political parties, religious denominations and communities. Her message reflects the breadth of his political journey, which saw him work with different parties and engage in shifting political alliances over the years.
Raila was widely known as “Baba” among his supporters. For many, the name represented more than a political identity. It reflected a relationship built through years of political campaigns, public rallies, democratic struggles and the pursuit of reforms.
However, his legacy was never limited to his supporters. Raila remained a prominent figure in national conversations, attracting both strong loyalty and criticism throughout his career.
Ida’s appeal for unity comes at a time when political divisions remain pronounced as leaders and parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election. The anniversary has brought together individuals who may hold different views about Kenya’s political future but share an interest in remembering Raila’s contribution to the country.
The family has urged attendees to keep the event focused on remembrance rather than political rivalry. Other leaders have similarly cautioned against turning the commemoration into a platform for competing political factions.
That appeal is particularly significant because Raila’s first anniversary has attracted attention beyond the emotional weight of his death. His absence has also prompted questions about the future of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the party he helped build and led for many years.
Nevertheless, Ida’s message has been that the anniversary should provide an opportunity to celebrate a life of public service, acknowledge the people Raila touched and encourage peaceful engagement among Kenyans.
Raila Odinga’s Political Journey and Democratic Legacy
Raila’s political journey spanned several decades and included periods of opposition politics, detention, political negotiations and service in government.
He became one of the most recognisable figures in Kenya’s multiparty democratic movement and built a reputation as a persistent campaigner for political change. His supporters viewed him as a champion of reform, while his opponents often challenged his political methods and ambitions.
His role in the push for multiparty democracy remains an important part of his legacy. Kenya’s transition from a one-party political system to a more competitive political environment involved years of pressure from opposition leaders, civil society organisations and ordinary citizens.
Raila was among the figures who helped shape that struggle. His political career was marked by repeated confrontations with successive governments, as well as alliances that influenced the direction of national politics.
Following the disputed 2007 presidential election and the violence that followed, Raila became Prime Minister in the Grand Coalition Government formed in 2008. He served in the position until 2013, working alongside President Mwai Kibaki during a period when the country sought political stability and institutional reform.
The coalition government operated in a difficult environment shaped by the consequences of the post-election violence, demands for accountability and the need to rebuild public confidence in national institutions.
Raila later remained a central figure in presidential contests and opposition politics. His political campaigns mobilised large numbers of supporters and kept issues surrounding electoral credibility, governance and public participation at the centre of national debate.
He also played a prominent role in the political environment surrounding the 2010 Constitution, which introduced far-reaching changes to Kenya’s system of governance, including devolution and a stronger framework for protecting rights and strengthening institutions.
Assessments of Raila’s legacy differ according to political perspectives and individual experiences. However, his influence on the country’s democratic journey, party politics and national debate remains difficult to separate from Kenya’s modern political history.
His first anniversary therefore provides an opportunity not only to remember his achievements but also to examine the unfinished questions and political challenges that defined his time in public life.
Bondo Memorial Marks a Year of Loss and Reflection
The first anniversary carries particular significance for the Odinga family and the communities that regarded Raila as a central figure in their political and social lives.
The past year has been a period of adjustment for his family, supporters and the ODM party. His absence has changed the political landscape, particularly within a movement that relied heavily on his leadership, public profile and ability to mobilise supporters.
For his family, the anniversary offers a chance to remember Raila beyond the demands of politics. The candle-lighting ceremony at Kang’o ka Jaramogi reflected the personal and spiritual dimensions of the occasion, while the main gathering at Migwena provides a broader platform for public remembrance.
The choice of Bondo also carries historical significance. The area is closely associated with the Odinga family and has long served as an important centre of political activity and community life. Gathering there allows supporters to connect Raila’s national role with the home and community that shaped his life.
The anniversary programme has also sought to involve younger generations, encouraging them to learn about Raila’s political journey and the wider history of Kenya’s democratic development.
Such efforts are important because the significance of a public figure is often measured not only by the positions they held but also by the ideas, debates and institutions they leave behind.
For younger Kenyans who did not personally experience every stage of Raila’s political career, the anniversary offers an opportunity to explore his role in the country’s history and consider how the struggles of previous generations relate to present-day challenges.
The commemorations have also drawn attention to the importance of peaceful political engagement. Raila’s life was marked by intense political contests, but his family and organisers have urged mourners to make the anniversary a moment of unity rather than confrontation.
Political Questions Remain as Raila’s Legacy Endures
While the anniversary is primarily a moment of remembrance, it also comes amid continuing debate about the future of ODM and the wider opposition movement.
Raila’s leadership played a major role in shaping the party’s identity and political strategy. His ability to maintain relationships across different political groups made him an influential participant in negotiations, coalition-building and election campaigns.
His death has left questions about how the party will preserve its identity, manage internal differences and determine its political direction ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The emergence of competing political positions among leaders associated with ODM has further drawn attention to the challenge of sustaining a movement after the departure of its most prominent figure.
However, the anniversary itself is not intended to resolve those political questions. The family and organisers have emphasised the importance of respecting the occasion and remembering Raila’s contribution without allowing current disagreements to overshadow the memorial.
Maraga’s reported presence alongside Ida and other mourners adds to the significance of a gathering that brings together people from different parts of Kenya’s public life.
The event demonstrates the continuing national interest in Raila’s life and the questions his legacy raises about leadership, democratic participation, constitutional governance and political change.
As Kenya remembers the former Prime Minister one year after his death, the central challenge is how to translate the ideals associated with his public life into meaningful action. Remembrance can preserve a historical record, but the enduring value of a legacy ultimately depends on how its lessons are understood and carried forward.
For the Odinga family, the anniversary is an occasion to honour a loved one whose absence remains deeply felt. For his supporters, it is a moment to celebrate a political leader who inspired generations. For the country, it is an opportunity to reflect on a complicated but consequential chapter in its democratic journey.
As mourners gather in Bondo, the message from the family remains clear: Raila’s memory should bring people together, encourage respect for different views and renew reflection on the future of Kenya.
