How Raila Odinga was buried by his enemies
Opinion
By
Wafula Buke
| Oct 20, 2025
The casket bearing the body of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is lowered into the grave at his father's home in Kan'go ka Jaramogi, Bondo on October 19, 2025. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]
A few years ago, Raila Odinga invited me to lunch. As Hon Jeremiah Kioni was walking into the sitting space, Raila said. "Lets go and have our conversation elsewhere" Kioni who was "bigger" Had apparently interrupted us. He instructed Kioni to continue "from where We had left' with food.
We walked into a bedroom that had no chairs. I was confused. He sat on the bed as i followed suit. He spoke:
"What am going to tell you, I have only told four people. Nobody should know this. Is that ok? "
Four people? Me the Fifth? This is how highly he rates me? Of cause he was about to detonate a bomb in four days. Was I not close and trusted? I think too, very close and trusted.
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Close as he was to me in life, imagine I couldn't even view his body fearing a stampede at. I was in Bondo on Saturday to examine and internalise the physical impression of his grave. To know how he will sleep. I knew Murkomen's men would shoot my legs if I demanded my rightful space in Raila's funeral space.
The last time I talked to him, I asked for a meeting with him.
"If you are still in Kilifi, don't come. Am coming over. Will see you there" He didnt make because of "an emergency in State House". Ruto needed him. I lost my last chance for a chat with him. Indeed, WE LOST HIM TO THEM
When Jaramogi died, I wrestled my way to his coffin and saw him. Raila being more powerful and fully embraced by the bougeoise locks us out more firmly because in a class society, "successful" progressives are buried by their enemies. Indeed, success in a class society is joining the class and being owned by them.
The most unfortunate burial was South Africa's Nelson Mandela where his international enemies led by the United States took a space of honour on the podium and the program not to mention the local enemies.
Remember, Mandela's arrest was CIA assisted and for long America funded the apartheid regime as it's official neocolonial policeman in Southern Africa.
Those who threw tear gas and bullets at Raila now watch, clean, surround, carry and forerun Raila's movement. We are deleted from his last story on earth. No photos, no seats on the podium. No touch of his coffin. No space on the program even for a poem.
I know this doesn’t pain the lowly and most of us because we think this is how God made the world. Most of us have embraced the system's definition of honour:
Many rich people, thieves, terrorists in suits, police and army watching over them. We even believe they deserve the honour, comfort, security and food.
Tragically, we even celebrate losing those close to us to them so that they can eat on our behalf as they partake of all the privileges.
But! But! lakini! Raila and Mandela is, has been and will always be ours now and forever.
The King is dead! Long live the king!