- Ida Odinga expressed her gratitude to President William Ruto and other former presidents for their support during Raila Odinga’s funeral
- Ida recognized and explained how the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, helped in the funeral plan of the former prime minister
- He urged ODM leaders to respect Raila’s legacy and address the party’s challenges with cooperation amidst the internal leadership conflicts facing the party
Ida Odinga, the wife of the former prime minister Raila Odinga late, has written an emotional message of gratitude to President William Ruto following the sudden death of her husband.
Source: Facebook
He shared the honor on January 7, 2026, during the commemoration of Raila’s first birthday after his death.
The former prime minister and opposition leader died on October 15, 2025, due to heart failure while taking a morning walk in Kerala, India.
How did Ruto help in Raila’s funeral?
According to his testament, he was buried within 72 hours, and Ruto gave him a national funeral. He thanked Ruto and the entire government that he raised and implemented for the service of Baba.
“President, we saw the hand of friendship. We felt the positive weight of the government, in your direction, and we are grateful. Your direct, firm, and quick actions enabled us to transfer Baba’s body from India to Kenya in a short record and bury him within the time specified in his will,” he wrote.
Ida also sent love greetings to other leaders and friends of the late ODM leader who were with the family in their most difficult time.
He credited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his personal and constitutional intervention, which enabled Raila’s body to leave India quickly, and honored his testament.
He also acknowledged the support of former presidents Uhuru KenyattaOlusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, and Akinwumi Adesina of the African Development Bank.
“Of course, we are very grateful to the dedicated team of doctors under the leadership of Dr. David Oluoch-Olunya, Dr. Martin Wanyoike, Dr. Eva Njenga, Dr. Robin Mogere, and Dr. Abdul Msaddi, as well as the staff of hospitals in both Kenya and India. And we will forever be grateful to the people of Kenya,” he added.
Source: Facebook
Ida also paid tribute to ODM members and workers who loyally obeyed Raila in his life and death.
How should ODM leaders respect Raila’s vision?
He pointed out that Raila led ODM with commitment, fairness, and constant consultation, always listening to the people.
“It is my hope that we can preserve the party in his honor and as a service to our country. I want to conclude by asking those who remain in the leadership of the party to think deeply and sincerely about his dreams for the party and our country,” he prayed. He urged the ODM leaders to “face the problems facing the party by always wondering what Raila would do in these situations. He would tell them to sit together and discuss. So for now, let’s put our differences aside and do that.”
His honor came at a time when ODM is grappling with infighting, with key members speculating on a different direction ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Does Ida Odinga support Edwin Sifuna?
At the same time, in the video, Ida hugged the Secretary General of ODM Edwin Sifuna when he arrived at his residence for the memorial of the late party leader.
Other leaders who were at the event, including the Member of Parliament for Lang’ata Jalang’o, the Member of Parliament for Makadara George Aladwa, and the Member of Parliament for Kasarani Donald Karauri, were handed over by hand.
The warm embrace was widely described as a sign of the device, with a section of Kenyans suggesting that Sifuna is receiving support from the Odinga family despite criticism from some party officials.
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