State Launches Construction Plan for Raila Odinga Mausoleum

The National Museums of Kenya (NMK) has opened the tendering process for the construction of a KSh30 million mausoleum dedicated to the late Raila Odinga, with bids due by 25 June 2026.

In a notice issued on Tuesday, 16 June, NMK invited qualified contractors to submit applications for the project. The works will include the construction of the new mausoleum and the renovation of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum in Bondo, Siaya County. Applications will be evaluated after the deadline, and a contractor will then be selected.

The planned mausoleum will serve as a memorial and a centre for preserving Raila Odinga’s legacy. The facility will include a research centre, a library, digital archives and an amphitheatre designed to document and showcase the contributions of Kenya’s second prime minister.

The design features a circular central structure that will form the focal point of the memorial complex. Roads and pedestrian walkways will connect different sections of the site, allowing visitors to move easily through the landscaped grounds.

The mausoleum will be built next to the Jaramogi Mausoleum at Kang’o ka Jaramogi, where Raila Odinga was laid to rest. The development is intended to complement the existing memorial dedicated to his father, Kenya’s first vice president. The design also incorporates green spaces and open areas that link the two sites.

The project reflects Raila Odinga’s role in Kenya’s political history. Over several decades, he was involved in campaigns for multi-party democracy, constitutional reform and peace-building efforts during periods of national tension.

The inclusion of research and archival facilities is intended to ensure that the site remains a resource for researchers, students and members of the public seeking to learn about his life and work. With the tender now advertised, the procurement process has formally begun. 

Construction is expected to start once a contractor is appointed, in line with the government’s commitment to begin work before the end of June 2026. When completed, the mausoleum will stand as a permanent memorial to Raila Odinga’s contribution to Kenya’s political and social development.