Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga introduces his wives to mourners during the funeral service of his younger brother Raila Odinga at Nyayo National Stadium, October 17, 2025. /EZEKIEL AMING'ASiaya Senator Oburu Odinga on Friday paid a moving yet humorous tribute to his late brother, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, during the national funeral service held at Nyayo Stadium.
Speaking with visible emotion, Oburu described Raila as more than just a brother, calling him his confidant, adviser, and lifelong companion.
“He was my friend, my age-mate, my adviser, and my confidant — he was everything, including a business partner,” said Oburu.
“We grew up together more or less as twins because the difference between us is only one year and two months.”
Oburu revealed that Raila’s death came on a deeply personal day for him.
“Unfortunately, my brother passed on my birthday — October 15, 1943,” he said solemnly.
He eulogised Raila as a no-nonsense man who valued truth and discipline.
“If you came across him with lies or mediocrity, his left hand was very fast — he could give you something to teach you that you must always be truthful,” he recalled, drawing laughter from the mourners.
Oburu also said Raila had always been protective of him and their late brother Agola.
“He was braver in confronting anyone who attacked us,” he said.
Although the elder of the two, Oburu, said he always regarded Raila as his political leader and mentor.
He pledged to carry on his legacy, having been chosen by the ODM party to succeed Raila as its leader.
“I promise you I will not disappoint, even though Raila’s shoes are too big to fill,” he said.
In a lighter moment that sent the crowd roaring with laughter, Oburu ended his tribute by introducing his two wives, saying he feared domestic consequences if he did not.
“If I don’t introduce them to you, they might feel jealous and refuse to give me food,” he joked.
He first introduced his first wife, Dr Ann Ayoo Oburu, a paediatrician.
“This is the lady who took me out of boyhood,” he said fondly as she joined him on stage.
Then, turning to his second wife, he added amid cheers, “She is Judith Oburu — she works with NSSF and is a qualified accountant. I thought that at my age, I didn’t want Ann to scratch me or massage me, so I brought her a helper.”
The crowd erupted in laughter as Oburu held Judith’s hand high in the air, momentarily turning the sombre ceremony into one of warmth and humour — a reflection of the Odinga family’s enduring spirit even in mourning.
