The Kenyan government has announced plans to permanently preserve condolence messages received following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, marking a rare national effort to safeguard tributes to a statesman for future generations.
The messages — sent by governments, institutions, and individuals from across the world — have been compiled into bound volumes and will be deposited in several national repositories.
These include the Kenya National Archives, the Kenya National Library Service, the Foreign Affairs Library, and the Foreign Affairs Gallery at Uhuru Gardens.
The announcement was made on Friday, January 30, during a handover ceremony at the Odinga family residence in Karen, Nairobi.
The announcement was made on Friday, January 30, during a handover ceremony at the Odinga family residence in Karen, Nairobi.
Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei said the initiative was aimed at preserving Odinga’s legacy as one of Kenya’s most influential political figures.
“This compilation is meant for posterity — for the family, for the nation, and for generations yet to come,” Sing’oei said while formally presenting the volumes to Ida Odinga.
Raila Odinga passed away on October 15, 2025, aged 80, while receiving medical treatment in Kerala, India.
“This compilation is meant for posterity — for the family, for the nation, and for generations yet to come,” Sing’oei said while formally presenting the volumes to Ida Odinga.
Raila Odinga passed away on October 15, 2025, aged 80, while receiving medical treatment in Kerala, India.
According to official accounts, he collapsed during a morning walk at the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre and was rushed to Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam, where resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.
Medical reports indicated that Odinga had been undergoing treatment for diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. He was accompanied in India by his daughter, Winnie Odinga.
Following his death, President William Ruto declared seven days of national mourning, with flags flown at half-mast nationwide. Friday, October 17, 2025, was observed as a public holiday in his honour.
Odinga’s body was repatriated aboard a Kenya Airways flight on October 16, ahead of a state funeral held at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Medical reports indicated that Odinga had been undergoing treatment for diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. He was accompanied in India by his daughter, Winnie Odinga.
Following his death, President William Ruto declared seven days of national mourning, with flags flown at half-mast nationwide. Friday, October 17, 2025, was observed as a public holiday in his honour.
Odinga’s body was repatriated aboard a Kenya Airways flight on October 16, ahead of a state funeral held at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The ceremony drew hundreds of thousands of mourners from across the country and beyond. He was later laid to rest on October 19 at his ancestral home in Bondo, Siaya County, beside his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first Vice President.
Sing’oei said the preserved messages reflected Odinga’s enduring influence on democracy, diplomacy, and African solidarity.
“These messages speak of a man whose voice carried hope, whose courage inspired many, and whose commitment to justice and democracy resonated far beyond Kenya’s borders,” he noted.
In addition to archiving the tributes, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced plans to establish an annual conference in Odinga’s name.
Sing’oei said the preserved messages reflected Odinga’s enduring influence on democracy, diplomacy, and African solidarity.
“These messages speak of a man whose voice carried hope, whose courage inspired many, and whose commitment to justice and democracy resonated far beyond Kenya’s borders,” he noted.
In addition to archiving the tributes, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced plans to establish an annual conference in Odinga’s name.
The forum will bring together scholars, statesmen, and practitioners to deliberate on issues of democracy and diplomacy.
The ministry also expressed willingness to work with the Odinga family on the development of a museum at their Bondo home to commemorate his life and political legacy.
During the ceremony, Sing’oei congratulated Ida Odinga on her recent nomination as Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), headquartered in Nairobi. President Ruto nominated her on January 23, 2026, to replace Ababu Namwamba, who has been reassigned as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda, subject to parliamentary approval.
The government also thanked members of the diplomatic corps and international partners for standing with Kenya during the period of national mourning, noting that their messages reflected deep respect for the late statesman.
The ministry also expressed willingness to work with the Odinga family on the development of a museum at their Bondo home to commemorate his life and political legacy.
During the ceremony, Sing’oei congratulated Ida Odinga on her recent nomination as Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), headquartered in Nairobi. President Ruto nominated her on January 23, 2026, to replace Ababu Namwamba, who has been reassigned as Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda, subject to parliamentary approval.
The government also thanked members of the diplomatic corps and international partners for standing with Kenya during the period of national mourning, noting that their messages reflected deep respect for the late statesman.
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