"He left me without a word," Ida Odinga speaks on the pain of losing Raila
Nyanza
By
Clinton Ambujo
| Oct 29, 2025
Mama Ida Odinga has revealed how difficult it is for her family to believe that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is dead.
Speaking at her Opoda Farm home in Bondo, Siaya County, on Tuesday, where she hosted widows under Widows Voices Ministry who had come to condole with the family, Ida described Raila's death as unexpected.
She said the family did not think that the former PM’s illness was unusual and believed that he would be treated in India and return back home.
Mama Ida disclosed that Raila’s condition had not deteriorated in the days leading to his death, thus making his sudden departure not only saddening but shocking to the family.
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"Whatever has happened that brings you here was very unfortunate, nobody expected it. Particularly I didn't expect it, I didn't see any sign, I didn't see any sign that could have alerted me that Raila would probably leave us, "she said.
Mama Ida who was in Kenya when Raila died while undergoing treatment in India, said she was saddened that her husband of more than five decades left her without a word.
"He left me without a word," she said.
Mama Ida who reluctantly acknowledged her new status as a widow, thanked the group for visiting the family.
A delegation of ODM supporters visit the grave of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Kang'o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo, on October 29, 2025. [Clinton Ambujo, Standard]
"It surprises me when people start referring to me as Raila's widow because I didn't know that at this age I would be baptized with a new name that I am now a widow of Raila," she said.
"Thank you so much. I'm so happy to see all of you. Each group that's here is very important, we thank God that you're here to console us," she added.
She said the widows, would be among the support groups that she hopes to rely on for emotional support as she navigates the new realities of life without her husband.
"I know I have a big, strong group of widows who will be by my side. I'm happy you have this group, now plan to enroll me into this group," Ida said.
Widows Voices Ministry leader Betty Musindai called on Kenyans to be supportive and compassionate to widows who could be going through difficult times.
"When a woman is bereaved and she has lost her husband, we tell her to be strong for her family, we tell her to be strong for her children, we tell her to be strong for the nation but we forget about herself. We forget to ask how she feels," she said.