Legacy Lives On: Bondo Becomes Heart of National Mourning for Raila

Thousands of mourners continue to visit Raila Odinga’s ancestral home in Bondo following the former Prime Minister’s death last month, turning the Odinga family compound into a national site of remembrance.

Since his passing on 15 October and the state funeral held four days later, Kang’o Ka Jaramogi has seen a steady stream of visitors paying their respects. The homestead’s most prominent feature remains the mausoleum of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first Vice President, whose political legacy shaped his son’s career. Nearby lies Raila’s newly built grave, now the centre of daily gatherings marked by prayer, song, and reflection.

The funeral ceremony highlighted Raila’s stature as a national leader. President William Ruto, opposition figures, governors, senators, Luo elders, and foreign dignitaries joined thousands of citizens in Bondo to honour him. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta described Raila’s role in advancing democracy and unity as “indelible,” while Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka led a delegation presenting 100 bulls as a sign of friendship and respect. “This is not just a political loss — it’s a personal one,” Kalonzo said. “Raila taught us resilience and sacrifice.”

Since the funeral, the Odinga home has remained a focal point for people from across the country. Mama Ida Odinga continues to receive mourners beneath a large white tent, greeting delegations from Mombasa to Garissa, as well as visitors from Uganda and Tanzania. Security officers manage the flow of visitors with quiet efficiency, maintaining an atmosphere of respect and solemnity.

Condolences have come from leaders in politics, business, and local communities. Mombasa businessman Mohamed Jaffer and Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa were among those who visited to offer their sympathies. Traditional elders from Kano, dressed in ceremonial attire, brought gourds of milk and sugarcane stalks as cultural symbols of peace and honour. 

In a lighter moment, members of an Arsenal supporters’ club from Kisumu stood by the grave to salute Raila’s well-known passion for football. Messages of respect have also arrived from beyond Kenya’s borders. Ghana’s former President Nana Akufo-Addo travelled to Bondo, while delegations from across Western Kenya performed traditional dirges celebrating Raila’s ties to their communities. 

For local residents, Kang’o Ka Jaramogi is now seen as more than a family homestead. It has become a living monument to Kenya’s political history, where the intertwined legacies of Jaramogi and Raila Odinga continue to inspire reflection.

“The Odingas’ home has always been a place of history,” said a student from Kisumu. “Now it is also a place to learn about courage and the fight for a just Kenya.”