The late Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader and long-serving Kenyan opposition figure, Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga, was on Sunday, October 19, 2025, laid to rest at his Opoda Farm in Bondo, Siaya County, in a solemn ceremony attended by thousands of mourners from across Kenya and beyond.
Raila, fondly known as “Baba,” was celebrated for his decades-long struggle for democracy, justice, and good governance in Kenya and across the African continent.
His burial marked the end of an era in Kenya’s political history, drawing condolences from world leaders, African heads of state, and ordinary citizens who admired his courage and resilience.
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Even as his family continues to receive condolence messages, an unexpected scene unfolded beyond Kenya’s borders. A video that surfaced online on Friday captured protesters in Tanzania chanting and singing in memory of the late Odinga while holding aloft his portraits.
The footage, which has since gone viral on social media, showed large crowds marching in the streets while calling for political freedom and fair elections.
According to reports, the protesters were reacting to President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s decision to proceed with the national elections without the participation of major opposition parties, including CHADEMA, whose leader Tundu Lissu has been imprisoned for nearly six months.
Many demonstrators drew parallels between Raila Odinga’s long struggle for democracy in Kenya and their own current fight for political inclusivity in Tanzania.
In one of the viral clips, a group of young Tanzanians is heard chanting, “Raila Odinga ni shujaa wa Afrika!” (Raila Odinga is a hero of Africa), while waving his picture high in the air.
Political analysts have interpreted the rare tribute as a sign of Raila Odinga’s cross-border influence and his symbolic role as a champion of democratic values in East Africa.
Meanwhile, leaders across the region have continued to eulogize Raila, with tributes describing him as a statesman who fought tirelessly for multiparty democracy and devolution.
Back in Siaya, the Odinga family expressed deep gratitude to Kenyans and Africans for the overwhelming support and condolences during this difficult time.
As Kenya bids farewell to one of its most iconic leaders, Raila’s spirit of resilience and democratic struggle appears to live on—not just at home, but across Africa’s borders.
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