The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has marked the birthday of its late party leader Raila Odinga with a reflective tribute, saying the nation is still grappling with the magnitude of his loss nearly three months after his death.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said Raila’s passing left a void that many Kenyans have yet to come to terms with, describing him as a larger-than-life leader whose impact on the country may never stop being felt.
“As it is his birthday today, we pause in mourning to reflect with gratitude and celebrate the life of the most iconic leader this nation has ever produced,” the statement read.
The ODM official said the 80 years Raila lived were defined by courage, sacrifice, and an uncompromising belief in freedom and justice, ideals he pursued relentlessly throughout his political life.
However, the party expressed concern that in the months following his death, some of the principles Raila stood for have come under threat. The Secretary General cited what he termed a growing culture of impunity, intolerance, dictatorship, and silence in the face of threats to multiparty democracy.
Raila was hailed as the country’s foremost second-liberation figure and the acknowledged father of multiparty democracy and the 2010 Constitution, which ushered in devolution and equitable sharing of national resources.
The statement noted that Raila had insisted on protecting multiparty democracy and the independence of political parties, principles that were captured in the memorandum of understanding he signed with President William Ruto.
According to ODM, Raila’s death has created space for political regression, making the country miss his wisdom and unmatched ability to navigate complex political terrain.
Despite this, the party said those mentored by Raila have a duty to remain steadfast and lead a new political renaissance anchored on the Constitution’s values of democracy, social justice, equality, and the rule of law.
“Raila Odinga stood with the oppressed, spoke truth to power, and placed country before self, even at great personal cost,” the statement said.
ODM leaders and supporters renewed their commitment to uphold his ideals, saying the best way to honour his legacy is to stay the course he charted.
“Happy birthday Baba,” the statement concluded.