Winnie Odinga has publicly mourned the passing of her father, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, in an emotional tribute that offers a personal glimpse into his final moments. She was by his side in India when he passed away on October 15, and she clarified that some details circulating online about his death were inaccurate.
In her tribute, Winnie described her father as strong and dignified until the end. She recalled his daily exercise routine, which he maintained even in his last moments. “Every day he would wake up and walk. And every day he would do one round, the next he would push to two rounds. That morning he pushed to five rounds. He died strong and with dignity and pride, and you must be proud of that,” she said. Winnie emphasized that her father passed away peacefully in her arms, countering misinformation shared on social media.
Reflecting on her relationship with Raila Odinga, Winnie highlighted the personal side of the man known widely as a political leader. “Today as we celebrate his life, I choose not only to remember the leader everyone knew but the father I loved with every fibre of my being. The biggest part of me died on October 15. The spirit of the lion roars forever,” she said.
Winnie also shared the profound impact her father had on her life, describing him as both a guiding light and a steady presence. “I don’t know who I will miss more, my dad or my superhero. I was the luckiest girl in the world because you were my dad. Dad, you were a light, steady, yielding, and human. When you were growing up, they called you Aluo, and they started calling you Jaramogi’s son. To me, you were simply dad, a man whose presence froze rooms,” she wrote.
Her tribute captures the depth of the family’s loss while celebrating Raila Odinga’s legacy as a leader and father. Winnie’s words resonate with many Kenyans, offering an intimate perspective on a man who shaped the nation’s political landscape while remaining a devoted parent.
