Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga has moved to end growing speculation surrounding the final resting place of his late brother, Raila Odinga. Rumours had spread that the former prime minister’s will directed that he be buried beside his mother, but Oburu clarified that this was false.
Speaking in Bondo on Friday, October 17, the senator affirmed that Raila will be laid to rest beside both his parents at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi. The clarification comes ahead of the private burial ceremony set for Sunday, October 19, in Siaya County.
Oburu Oginga Confirms Raila Burial Site
Oburu Oginga, who serves as co-chair of the National Funeral Committee, said he has personally read Raila Odinga’s will and knows his brother’s final wishes. He accused some media outlets and online users of spreading misleading information about where the ODM leader would be buried.
“The will clearly states that Raila would like to be buried in the place where his father and mother were buried. That is where Raila is going to be buried,” Oburu stated.
The clarification settles days of speculation that Raila had requested to rest beside his mother. Oburu described the rumours as “unfortunate and misleading,” insisting that the Odinga family was following Raila’s wishes to the letter.
The Odinga family homestead, located in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Bondo, holds deep historical and emotional significance. It is the same compound where Raila’s father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president, and his mother, Mary Ajuma Odinga, were buried.
Family Unity and Final Wishes
Oburu emphasized that debates about whether Raila would lie beside his father or mother were unnecessary. He said the family was united and at peace with the burial arrangements.
“Whether it is next to the father or the mother, both of them are his parents. That was our decision, and it reflects Raila’s will. We only plead for peace,” Oburu said.
He urged Kenyans to focus on celebrating Raila’s legacy rather than speculating about burial details. The senator also thanked the public for their overwhelming support and condolences during the difficult period.
The funeral committee has coordinated with the government and local leaders to ensure the ceremony remains private but dignified. Attendance will be limited to family, close friends, and select leaders.
The Man Behind the Grave
As preparations near completion, those involved in the burial process have shared emotional moments. Among them is Japheth Siome, a medical superintendent at Usigu Sub-County Hospital in Bondo.
Siome joined a team of local men who helped prepare Raila’s final resting place. Speaking to reporters, he described the experience as “an honour of a lifetime.”
“It is the best gift I could give to a man who dedicated his life to democracy and justice,” Siome said. “Being part of this historic moment gives me pride and gratitude.”
He explained that an excavator handled the initial digging due to the hardness of the ground, but manual labour completed the final stages. Siome said the effort was a show of love and respect from the local community.
A Legacy Beyond the Grave
Raila Odinga’s burial marks the close of an extraordinary political chapter in Kenya’s history. Known for his relentless fight for democracy, civil rights, and political reforms, Raila inspired millions across generations.
His final resting place at the Kang’o Ka Jaramogi homestead will symbolize continuity, family legacy, and the enduring spirit of the Odingas in Kenya’s political story.
Oburu urged Kenyans to honour Raila by upholding peace and unity. “We have lost a statesman. Let his resting place remind us of what he stood for—justice, freedom, and equality for all,” he said.
Preparations at the homestead are ongoing, with decorations, tents, and security arrangements already in place. Religious leaders from various denominations are expected to lead prayers before the burial.
The burial will conclude with a brief family ceremony, closing a chapter in Kenya’s long struggle for democratic change.
