How Raila Odinga's death adds another dark chapter to Nyanza's history

The death of ODM leader Raila Odinga adds another dark chapter to the history of the Nyanza region, following the deaths of other prominent leaders in less than a year.

They include more than five leaders who left a huge mark in the region’s politics and in public service and were among the decorated sons and daughters of a region that has endured painful losses in the past.

Although some of them were past their peak in politics, their influence and contribution to the region’s development and political discourse are etched in the country’s history. Others were the pinnacles of success in public service.

Among the giants the region has lost this year alone are trailblazer Phoebe Asiyo, former Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno, Justice Fred Ochieng, Roseline Odede, the former Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), former Kisumu Town West MP Ken Nyagudi, and slain Kasipul MP Ong’ondo.

Last year, the region also lost former Alego Usonga MP Oloo Aringo and the Chief of Defense Forces Francis Ogola, who died in April.

Analysts and the Luo Council of Elders believe the demise of some of Nyanza’s brilliant brains has been a big blow to the region and the country. However, they admit that some of them were in the age of transition, and their demise marks a new chapter for the region.

According to political operative and constitutional lawyer Joshua Nyamori, it remains to be seen if Nyanza is ready for this moment as the region comes to terms with the end of an era.

“Most of the leaders we have lost were part of the generation that took over leadership from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. It is the end of an era, and they are now departing,” he said.

He believes that among those that the region has lost, it is Raila’s shoe that will be the hardest to fill, equating him to a huge fig tree.

“There is going to be jostling, and the struggle will end up in new leadership, but it might take time. The community is in a situation where no individual can claim to have a stranglehold on the community,” he said.

In the region, Raila has been the pinnacle of political success, commanding unwavering support in a region where his ‘Oteku’ absolute power had the potency of a venom.

A month before Raila died, the region had lost Dalmas Otieno, one of Luo Nyanza’s—and indeed Kenya’s—most decorated and towering political figures. He is among the few leaders who dared to challenge Raila by introducing what he described as a Kalausi movement.

His death at the age of 80 revived memories of a name once synonymous with controversial political stances, audacious yet calculated moves, and daring decisions that defined his decades-long career.

Otieno often described his political journey as that of “an insider, then outsider, then insider again,” reflecting his constant oscillation between government and opposition power corridors depending on the political circumstances of the day.

Otieno, who was popularly known among his supporters as "Wuod bade boyo ja Kangeso" (the son of a tall man from Kangeso) due to his tall stature, was, however, a controversial politician who led a life defined by bold gambles and an unyielding independent streak.

His acts of defiance culminated in his audacious but ill-fated attempt to dethrone ODM leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as Luo Nyanza’s political kingpin.

This was through the "Kalausi Movement" in 2014, barely a year after a general election in which he was re-elected to Parliament on an ODM ticket while Raila lost his presidential bid to former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

In Migori, he was credited with supporting the education needs of several students and was the pillar that helped grow Rongo University.

In July this year, the region was also plunged into mourning following the death of a celebrated trailblazer who pushed for women's empowerment and is credited with several reforms that improved women's leadership.

 She was one of a kind. A golden dove that fought through a male chauvinism storm to sow seeds of hope for thousands of women across the country.

During her heyday in politics, she was the voice that made political male titans tremble. Even in retirement and deep into devolution, her voice never weakened in the push for gender equality.

She pushed for women's empowerment and challenged women to go for seats despite any obstacles that hovered around.

Outside this strong demeanour that she displayed in public, even in her last month alive, she was a mother and a caring relative whose love for her family was undeniable. She was buried on August 8.

In November last year, the region also lost another icon, Oloo Aringo died following a cardiac arrest to mark the end of another era. He was the man in charge of education during the transition of 8-4-4 during the Kanu regime and was an icon whose name is the county’s book of history.

Last year, too, the region mourned the death of former CDF Ogolla, who died in a helicopter crash. At his death, he was among the few prominent sons of the region holding plum positions in government.

Today, however, the grief has deepened following the demise of Raila. He was the glue that held the region’s political and economic scope. Residents adored him and accorded him a fanatical following.

Five times he contested for the presidency. Five times they stood firm with him and followed his decisions with minimal questions.