A delegation of students from Makerere University in Uganda on Tuesday visited Siaya County to pay their last respects to the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
The visit marked yet another show of admiration and solidarity for the late opposition leader, whose influence and ideals transcended Kenya’s borders.
The students, drawn from various faculties at the Ugandan institution, visited Kang’o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo, where Raila was laid to rest. They were warmly received by members of the Odinga family and officials at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum.
The group laid wreaths at Raila’s graveside, observed a moment of silence, and sang solemn hymns in his honour. They later toured the mausoleum, which houses historical artefacts, photographs, and personal items chronicling the Odinga family’s political journey and contribution to Kenya’s democracy.
Speaking during the visit, the students said they were inspired by Raila’s lifelong fight for democracy, justice, and Pan-African unity.
“We grew up hearing about Raila Odinga not just as a Kenyan leader, but as an African icon who stood for freedom, fairness, and integrity,” one of the students said.
Their visit follows a steady stream of mourners and delegations from various sectors — including political leaders, civil society groups, and international dignitaries — who have continued to flock to Siaya since Raila’s burial on October 19, 2025.
The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum has since become a pilgrimage site for those seeking to reflect on the legacies of both Raila and his father, Kenya’s first Vice President, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta was among the first high-profile leaders to visit the site after the burial, describing Raila as “a patriot who devoted his life to the service of Kenya and the African people.”
Other leaders, including Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and several governors, have also paid their respects.
Kalonzo, in his tribute, highlighted Raila’s Pan-African vision, saying he believed Africa’s progress depended on unity and connectivity.
“He envisioned a continent connected by railway lines, roads, energy corridors, and digital networks — a continent bound not by borders but by shared purpose. For Raila, that connection represented liberation and true Pan-African unity,” Kalonzo said.
Diplomats from the African Union and representatives from liberation movements across the continent have also visited the mausoleum to honour Raila’s enduring legacy.
