Raila Odinga memorial committee opens month of remembrance, announces global candle lighting

 By Faith wanza mueni 

Photo: The late former prime minister Raila Amollo Odinga

NAIROBI, Thursday – The committee organising events to mark the first anniversary of the death of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga has opened a month of remembrance and celebration. It has announced an international candle lighting on October 14 and a non-partisan celebration of life in Bondo the next day.

Reading the statement at Capitol Hill Square in Nairobi, Prof Adams Oloo, chairperson of the Raila Amolo Odinga Memorial National Steering Committee, said the month would run under the themes of "The People, The Struggle and The Aspiration".

"A year ago, our nation bowed its head in sorrow at the passing of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga," Prof Oloo said. "Today, with hearts still tender but lifted by gratitude, we come together not only to mourn a great loss, but to celebrate a great life."

Prof Oloo said the family and the committee were inviting every Kenyan, "of every county, community, faith and political persuasion", to remember the late leader and recommit to the ideals for which he lived: democracy, justice and one united Kenya.

The statement described Mr Odinga's life as "a long struggle for freedom, for multiparty democracy, for a new Constitution and for justice". It said he bore great sacrifice "with courage and without bitterness, so that the generations after him might live freer lives".

He left behind, Prof Oloo said, an aspiration that is "now ours to carry forward": a just, united and prosperous Kenya.

The committee said everyone is welcome to celebrate Mr Odinga, popularly known as Baba and Jakom, in the best way they can. It attached one condition: no funds should be raised in the name of the family or the committee.

"We make this request out of an abundance of caution, so that no one may misuse this well-intended season of remembrance for personal gain," the statement said.

The first event is a candle lighting on Friday, October 2. The committee said it had been notified that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the Nairobi City County Government plan to hold the event. It welcomed the plan and gave it its blessings.

The main commemorative moment will come on Wednesday, October 14, with an official international candle lighting at 6:00 pm East Africa Time. It will be led by Mama Ida Odinga at Mr Odinga's resting place, Kang'o ka Jaramogi, in Bondo.

The committee invited individuals, institutions and organisations across the world to join in, wherever they are, whether at home, in a place of worship or anywhere else.

"Wherever you may be, at home, in your place of worship or in any corner of the world, light a candle in his memory at that hour, so that one light may shine in a million places at once," Prof Oloo said.

Participants have been asked to share their candle lighting experiences with the committee through the email address dearbaba@railaodingalegacy.org.



The following day, Thursday, October 15, the family will host what the committee described as a non-partisan celebration of the life of the former Prime Minister. The main event will be held at the Migwena Cultural and Sports Ground in Bondo, beginning at 8:00 am.

Prof Oloo said the family was marking the day as one of thanksgiving. The committee urged those planning to attend to arrive early. Mama Ida Odinga, the statement said, "invites all Kenyans and friends of Kenya, wherever they may be in the world, to join in the celebration.

The committee said further activities would take place beyond these headline events. "A programme of events will unfold across the country, from lecture halls to playing fields, from tree planting to song and dance, reflecting the many ways in which Baba touched our national life," the statement said

Closing the statement, Prof Oloo said Mr Odinga's legacy belonged to all Kenyans.

"Baba belonged to all of us. He reached across divides, stood firm for what was right, and never lost faith in the promise of Kenya," Oloo said. "Let this season of remembrance draw us closer as one people."Oloo said 

He urged Kenyans to honour the late leader not with despair, but with hope; and not with words alone, but by living the ideals he fought for.

The statement ended with the line: "May his memory continue to light our path."

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