The Odinga family continues to witness a wave of visits at their Opoda farm in Bondo as the guests pay tributes and remembrance for the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, whose influence stretched far beyond national borders.
And the latest delegation comes from India.
The team of doctors from Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Hospital in Kerala, India — where Raila was receiving treatment before his passing — arrived in Kenya this week to pay their final respects.
They were accompanied by his daughter, Rosemary Odinga, and received at the Mombasa International Airport by Governor Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir, who also serves as ODM’s Deputy Party Leader.
Governor Nassir described the doctors’ visit as a touching gesture from friends who had cared for Raila in his final days, noting that his “life and legacy transcended borders.” He said the outpouring of love reflected the journey of “a man defined by courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to justice and humanity.”
Raila, who succumbed on October 15, 2025, while undergoing treatment in Kerala, had travelled to India to seek Ayurvedic therapy, the same form of traditional healing his daughter Rosemary had previously undergone in 2022 to restore her eyesight after battling secondary optic atrophy.
Ayurveda — meaning “the science of life” — is an ancient Indian system of medicine that focuses on restoring balance between the body’s three elements: Vata (air), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (water). It combines herbal remedies, diet, massage, meditation, and yoga to promote wellness.
According to close family sources, Raila had been receiving Ayurvedic treatment for chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, ailments he had managed for years.
Despite the efforts, the 80-year-old veteran opposition leader passed away peacefully at a private hospital in Kochi.
Mama Ngina visits Opoda Farm
As the nation continues to mourn, Mama Ngina Kenyatta, Kenya’s former First Lady, visited Raila’s family home at Opoda Farm in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Siaya County, on Thursday, October 30, 2025, to offer her condolences.
It was her first visit since Raila’s burial on October 19, 2025.
Mama Ngina was warmly received by Mama Ida Odinga and other family members, with the Odinga family later expressing gratitude for her visit through a statement shared on X.
“Thank you, Former First Lady, H.E. Mama Ngina Kenyatta and your family, for joining the nation in mourning and coming home to commiserate with H.E. Mama Ida Odinga and the family of the late Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga,” the family wrote.
The visits to Opoda Farm have not stopped. A day after Raila’s burial, former President Uhuru Kenyatta visited the homestead, where he paid tribute to his longtime ally and friend.
Uhuru described Raila as “a steadfast leader who dedicated his life to the fight for democracy and justice.”
He also toured the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum, honouring the Odinga family’s enduring role in Kenya’s independence and political history.
On October 29, 2025, former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo also travelled to Siaya to pay his respects, describing Raila as “one of Africa’s great sons whose courage and vision for democracy would never be forgotten.”
He was accompanied by several Kenyan leaders, including National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, KANU Chairman Gideon Moi, Cooperatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya, and Environment CS Deborah Mulongo.
These high-profile visits underscore Raila’s stature as a pan-African statesman and his enduring influence across generations and borders.
Preserving Raila’s Digital Legacy
Even in death, Raila Odinga’s presence remains strong online. His official social media accounts are now being managed by the Raila Amolo Odinga (RAO) Foundation, which has taken over the responsibility of preserving his digital legacy.
A recent update on his X (formerly Twitter) bio reads:
“This page is managed by The RAO Foundation in honour of the legacy of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, CGH. Father, Prime Minister, Enigma, Hero, Baba. 1945–2025.”
With over 4.9 million followers on X, 2.3 million on Facebook, and 231,000 on Instagram, Raila had cultivated one of Kenya’s largest political followings.
The RAO Foundation plans to use these platforms to archive his speeches, share historical footage, and highlight his contributions to democracy, governance, and social reform.
Farewell to a National Icon
Raila Odinga’s final journey came to a close on Sunday, October 19, 2025, when he was laid to rest at his ancestral home in Bondo, Siaya County, in a private ceremony attended by family, close friends, and dignitaries.
In line with his wishes, the burial took place within 72 hours of his passing. The ceremony, conducted with full state honours, featured a 17-gun salute by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) — a rare tribute reserved for the nation’s most distinguished leaders.
Raila was interred with his trademark hat and fly whisk, symbols that had become synonymous with his political identity. His burial marked the end of a remarkable era for a man who shaped Kenya’s democratic journey for over four decades — a freedom fighter, reformist, and unrelenting champion for justice.
