Ida Odinga has urged Kenyans to honour Raila’s memory through peace, tolerance and love.
Raila Odinga’s widow urges supporters to reject political violence and honour his memory through respect, forgiveness and national unity.
Ida Odinga has asked Kenyans to embrace peace, tolerance and love ahead of the 2027 General Election. She described the three values as gifts that would honour her late husband Raila Odinga’s memory.
Speaking during commemorations marking the first anniversary of Raila’s death, she urged supporters to reject political violence. She also asked Kenyans to respect opposing views as political activity builds towards the polls.
Ida Odinga calls for respect across political divides
Ida said peace required respect for others, rather than simply the absence of conflict or noise. She stressed that an election victory could never justify the pain of a mother losing her child.
She pointed to Raila’s willingness to engage political opponents despite holding firm convictions of his own. His example, she said, showed that disagreement need not prevent dialogue or reconciliation.
Ida therefore urged Kenyans to distinguish political competition from personal hostility. Citizens could support different candidates while still recognising one another as fellow countrymen.
She also called for forgiveness, recalling how Raila repeatedly forgave people who had wronged him. In her appeal, love meant accepting that political rivals remained part of the same nation.
While elections allow citizens to choose leaders, she said they should not destroy relationships or national unity. She urged competing sides to come together once the contest ends.
A message to young people and leaders
Addressing young people, Ida warned against allowing political passion or loyalty to Raila to become a justification for harm. She urged them not to attack or kill others because they held different beliefs.
She also asked leaders and older generations to give young people room to express themselves freely. They should listen to their concerns and offer correction with care when necessary.
At the same time, she urged young people to respect older generations. Both sides, she said, had a responsibility to build understanding rather than deepen divisions.
Family grief and protecting Raila’s legacy
Beyond her election message, Ida described the difficulty of life without the husband she had known and loved for over 50 years. She said the first year had brought deep pain to the family.
Another family member died just 40 days after Raila’s death, adding to that grief. As a result, she said, the family struggled to meet supporters’ expectations during mourning.
Ida recalled leaving the door open in the evenings, hoping Raila would return home as he once did. Eventually, she would remember that he was not coming back and close it.
She thanked Kenyans across the country and in the diaspora for their prayers and support. Their solidarity, she said, had helped her remain strong.
Ida also urged supporters to safeguard Raila’s memory through institutions and initiatives taking shape in his name. However, she warned against invoking his legacy merely for political convenience rather than preserving it with genuine commitment.
