RAO Foundation Takes Over Raila Odinga’s Social Media Accounts

The newly established RAO Foundation has assumed control of the late Raila Odinga’s social media accounts, marking a formal transfer of responsibility for managing his digital legacy.

The change was confirmed on Thursday, 30 October, when Odinga’s X profile was updated to show the new custodianship. His biography now reads: “This page is managed by The RAO Foundation in honour of the legacy of the Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga, CGH. Father, Prime Minister, Enigma, Hero, Baba. 1945–2025.” 

With nearly five million followers on X and more than 2.3 million on Facebook, the platforms will serve as key channels for preserving and sharing his work, speeches, and advocacy on democracy and human rights. The RAO Foundation’s role represents a shift from personal political communication to structured legacy preservation. 

The organisation is expected to use Odinga’s digital presence to highlight his contributions to national unity, electoral reform, and civic participation. Odinga’s final online posts before his death on 15 October, reportedly from cardiac arrest, were personal in nature. His latest activity on X is a retweet of his son, Raila Odinga Junior, marking his installation as head of the Odinga family. 

On Facebook, his final update featured a meeting with Gor Mahia Football Club’s leadership. The digital transition comes as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) undergoes leadership changes. On 27 October, the party’s Central Management Committee unanimously appointed Oburu Odinga, Raila’s elder brother, as interim leader. The move is intended to maintain stability within the party and ensure continuity following Raila’s death.

Oburu’s appointment aligns with the broader political understanding reached earlier this year between Raila Odinga and President William Ruto, outlining cooperation until 2027.