Ida Odinga has appeared to respond to Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi following his recent remarks suggesting that the country should move on from the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Speaking on Friday during a visit by students from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Ida said Raila’s influence and memory remain strong even months after his death.
In an emotional speech, she noted that Raila’s name continues to feature prominently in national discussions, saying his legacy is still alive among Kenyans.
“We still hear his name every day. There’s no particular day I’ll switch on to listen to the news without hearing his name being mentioned,” Ida said.
She went on to reference the concept of the “living dead” by renowned African scholar John Mbiti, explaining that influential leaders continue living through their impact and the memories people hold of them.
“And when he talks of the living dead, I think he’s talking about Raila, talking about Jaramogi, and talking about those great people who have left us physically but whose spirit is here with us,” she said.
Ida also appeared to take a direct swipe at politicians who believe they are now free from Raila’s political influence.
“Sometimes politicians get very excited because they think he’s gone and they are free. Nothing. We learn from them. This history that they’ve left behind, they are the living dead,” she added.
Her remarks come days after Mbadi stirred debate within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) when he said the party no longer belongs to one family and warned against using Raila’s name to influence party decisions.
“ODM does not belong to a family. You know we have a party where someone, because she is the sister of a party leader, thinks she can also order us around,” Mbadi said.
The comments have since sparked fresh political debate within ODM, with leaders and supporters divided over the future direction of the party following Raila’s death.
