The Plans Raila Odinga Left in Motion

Plans to publish a collection of Raila Odinga’s speeches are progressing, with his longtime aide Dennis Onyango confirming that work on the project is underway and expected to be completed before the end of the year.

Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Onyango said one of his final face-to-face conversations with Odinga at his Karen residence focused on the speech compilation. He said the project had been proposed several years ago but was repeatedly delayed by Kenya’s demanding political environment. 

According to Onyango, Odinga revived the idea shortly before travelling to India for medical treatment.

“He told me to collect all his speeches and I’m working on that,” Onyango said.

The collection will bring together speeches delivered over several decades of political activism and public service. It is intended to provide a detailed record of Odinga’s views, policies and contributions to Kenya’s democratic development. 

Political observers say the publication could also serve as an important historical resource for future generations seeking to understand the country’s political evolution. Onyango also disclosed that Odinga had begun work on a separate book examining Pan-Africanism, a principle that remained central to his political outlook. 

He said the project had been assigned to another collaborator, while his own role was limited to reviewing information and providing support where needed.

The book is expected to explore Odinga’s commitment to African unity and cooperation, themes that featured prominently throughout his political career.

In addition to the publishing projects, Odinga discussed plans for institutions that would continue promoting his ideas. These included a Raila Odinga School of Democracy and Governance and a foundation bearing his name.

Onyango said Odinga often spoke about such initiatives without focusing on whether they would be completed during his lifetime. Instead, he maintained that they could be pursued and developed after his death.