On Saturday, October 18, Kenyan newspapers covered the last phase of prime minister Raila Odinga as thousands of Kenyans paid their respects to him.
Daily newspapers reported how his long-time bodyguard, Maurice Oget, wrote an emotional memoir to his boss.
Source: UGC
1. The Star
A longtime bodyguard of the late ODM leader Raila OdingaMaurice Ogeta, has given a heartfelt tribute to his boss, comparing their relationship to a father and son and describing it as more than professional.
In his message, Ogeta reflected on the years he provided protection and steadfast spirit to the veteran politician.
He said the position is more than a job; it was a way of personal development under the leadership of a man who was deeply admired.
He praised Raila, whom he affectionately called “Jakom,” for influencing his life and career.
“Jakom, many years of dedication in service to you and your subordinates, and a very close relationship undoubtedly flourished in the trusting friendship and close relationship of father and son,” Ogeta wailed.
Ogeta, who stood by Raila during many political meetings, campaigns, and even when he was in danger, said that as trust developed, their relationship grew over time.
Earlier, Ogeta wept profusely during the viewing of the body of the former prime minister, which caused a stir in Parliament.
In a moment that transcended political boundaries, he embraced the President William Ruto supported by Narok senator Ledama Ole Kina.
2. Daily Nation
Luo funerals have long been known for their opulence, with week-long celebrations, high embalming costs, communal mourning and feasts that turn loss into a shared experience.
However, controversy has arisen over the 72-hour funeral of Raila, whose politics and life have long mirrored Luo traditions and customs.
Arrangements for high-profile funerals within 72 hours of death have been made for the second time, which is a major break from custom for the Luo community.
This last happened in 2024, when Francis Ogolla, the late Chief of Defense Forces, was buried two days after his passing.
Ogolla even requested in his last wish that he be shrouded in a shroud instead of being placed in an ordinary coffin, the most basic burial rite.
Now, important discussions about the relationship between tradition, modernity, and the individual will be dominated by Raila’s hasty funeral.
Could this mark the beginning of the decline of Luo funeral traditions?
3. The Standard
Raila ruled the stage, even in death.
Thousands of citizens, past and present leaders and heads of state attended the farewell ceremony held at the Nyayo National Stadium, capturing the country’s emotions under a gloomy and rainy sky.
The event, which was characterized by official pomp and great personal merit, showed the nature of a man whose career was shaped by the struggle for freedom, his responsibility to succeeding governments, and his close relationship with the public.
The country said a final goodbye, from the heart of the mystery.
Although he was never elected president, Raila’s great influence on Kenyan politics was demonstrated by the fact that he was given a state funeral.
4. People Daily
While the nation continues to mourn the death of Raila, hundreds of locals gathered in Kondele’s circle Poisonous to honor a man they saw as a relative of a political star.
Before nightfall, the vigil served as a political statement and an emotional farewell.
For many people in Kondele, this was a farewell to a leader whose presence had influenced their lives and whose voice was heard in their streets for decades; it went beyond simple grief.
Long considered the epicenter of Raila’s political base, the circuit was transformed into a candlelight vibrancy.
The Luo community cry, “Jowi, Jowi,” which compares man to a buffalo, a symbol of unparalleled strength and resilience, was chanted by mourners.
5. Nation Today
In a rare move on Friday, October 17, President William Ruto admitted that without Raila’s intervention, Kenya’s democracy and its leadership may not have survived in protest of Gen-Z of 2024.
Ruto highlighted his long relationship with Raila during the former prime minister’s funeral at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
This included their time together in the ODM Pentagon, their time on opposing sides in the elections, and finally “crossing the aisle” in July 2024.
“Odinga stood by my side, this time to strengthen the nation and help support my leadership, culminating in the birth of a broad government,” the president admitted.
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