President William Ruto is on, October 7, 2026, leading the commissioning of Raila Odinga’s mausoleum in Bondo, Siaya County.
The ceremony is taking place at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, the final resting place of the late former Prime Minister. The event comes exactly one year after Raila’s death in October 2025. It forms the centrepiece of “Mwezi wa Baba”, a month-long national commemoration celebrating his life and legacy.
Ruto Leads Mausoleum Commissioning
The modern mausoleum was constructed under the Ministry of Defence through the Kenya Defence Forces. Its distinctive pentagon design pays tribute to the historic Pentagon political formation that Raila once led.
The facility is expected to preserve important memories of Raila’s political journey and his contribution to Kenya’s democratic development.
After the commissioning, stewardship of the complex will transition to the National Museums of Kenya. The institution will oversee its conservation, documentation, protection and interpretation as a national heritage site.
Mausoleum Opens to the Public
The commissioning ceremony has limited physical attendance because of space restrictions within the family compound. Members of the public are instead following the proceedings through live broadcasts at Nyamira Primary School.
However, public visitation to the mausoleum is scheduled to begin on October 8, 2026. The opening will allow Kenyans and visitors to explore a site dedicated to one of Kenya’s most influential political figures.
A Legacy for Future Generations
Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Hanna Wendot Cheptumo said the facility represents more than a physical structure.
She described it as a repository of memory, history and Pan-African identity. The site will therefore help future generations understand the struggles that shaped modern Kenya.
The commissioning also marks a significant moment in the country’s ongoing remembrance of Raila’s political and constitutional legacy.
