Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has paid a moving tribute to the late Raila Odinga, describing him as a relentless force of nature who never wavered, no matter the obstacles placed in his path.
“Baba was Kenya’s longest-serving political detainee. At the heart of the struggle for multiparty democracy, Raila’s body bore the scars of slings and arrows, bullets and batons—pain and suffering no human being should ever have to endure,” Kalonzo said.
He went on to add: “And yet, each time he emerged from the darkness of detention and the brutality of torture chambers, he would lift his arms to the heavens, his fist clenched in unbroken resolve—committed to ensuring that the pain and sacrifice he personally endured would give birth to democracy and freedom for the Kenya he so dearly loved. That is why we rightfully call him the Champion of the Second Political Liberation.”
Musyoka noted that Raila’s physical and psychological struggle for justice and reform, well documented both nationally and globally, earned him the revered title Agwambo.
“In all my years working alongside Agwambo in Kenya’s political arena, I came to fully appreciate why he was called that. Whether seated on the Opposition benches or serving as Prime Minister, Raila was a key architect of the historic 2010 Constitution.
On August 27, 2010, the day it was promulgated, he stood as a pivotal figure in the devolution of power from an imperial presidency to a people-centered constitutional order. For that, Kenya owes him a deep debt of gratitude.”
Kalonzo further reflected on their political partnership: “Since 2013, I had the singular honour of working closely with my brother—as his running mate in both the CORD and NASA coalitions, and later as his partner in the Azimio La Umoja – One Kenya Coalition.”
He concluded with a solemn reflection on the gravity of the loss: “Kenya has lost an exceptional leader—the President who won, but was never declared nor sworn in. The passing of Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga is not only a profound loss to his family and to our nation, but to the entire African continent. I will miss my brother and friend deeply.”
