Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya on Saturday honoured former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at his Opoda home in Siaya.
The Governor arrived at Raila’s home carrying a traditional bow and an arrow, chanting in Luyha.
Natembeya was accompanied by other leaders from the Luyha community to deliver 15 bulls and 15 bags of maize to the family of the late former Prime Minister.
Natembeya said the gesture is a “humble
token” of his deep appreciation for Raila’s “monumental contribution” to the
nation, especially his lifelong pursuit of justice, democracy, and unity among
all communities.
“As a political father, he nurtured leaders across generations and championed the bond between the Mulembe and Nyanza regions, a unity that remains the bedrock of our political and social cohesion,” he said.
“As we mourn his passing, I reaffirm my commitment to carry forward his vision, working hand in hand with like-minded leaders to fulfil his dream of a united, prosperous, and just Kenya.”
Earlier on, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi sent a gift of bulls to Raila’s ancestral home in Opodo.
The gesture, steeped in cultural tradition, underscored solidarity from Mudavadi and the wider Mulembe community during the nation’s mourning of Raila’s passing.
On Saturday, a delegation of elders from the Western region arrived in Bondo to present the animals, which they described as a token of unity and respect for a leader who had long stood at the forefront of Kenya’s political struggles.
Clad in traditional regalia, the elders spoke on behalf of Mudavadi, conveying his condolences to the Odinga family.
“Today we are bringing cows from our minister in solidarity with the departed,” one elder said, referring to the late leader.
For the Luhya community, sending a bull carries deep symbolic meaning. In traditional practice, livestock gifts signify honour, respect, and shared mourning.
DAP-K leader Eugine Wamalwa also honoured Raila with bulls at Kan’go ka Jaramogi, Bondo.
Wamalwa was accompanied by a section of leaders from the Mulembe Nation.
He said the Luhya community and the Wamalwa family have had a very deep and special relationship with the Odinga family and their Luo neighbours spanning more than six decades.
“From the days of Jaramogi, Muliro, Shikuku and Senator William Wamalwa, to the days of my late brother Michael Kijana Wamalwa, who was Raila’s comrade in arms from their days as lecturers at the University of Nairobi in the 70s to their FORD Kenya days, to the NARC days in 2003 when they joined hands with Kibaki to remove KANU from power after 40 years,” he said.
He said that though death has robbed Kenyans of Raila, a leader, friend and neighbour, it cannot rob the memorable years of friendship, good neighbourliness, comradeship in the struggle and the joint vision of a better Kenya.
“The best way to honour Baba is to jealously guard the now endangered freedom, civil liberties and democratic principles that he fought for and fiercely defend his favourite child-devolution, which holds the key to a more just, a more equitable, a more inclusive Kenya with shared prosperity.”
