More than 100 mourners from Mombasa embarked on an emotional journey to Bondo, Siaya County, to attend the burial of the late former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, scheduled for Sunday.
The mourners, most of them from Nyali Sub-County, travelled in two buses sponsored by Said Abdalla, popularly known as Saido, a long-time ally of the late ODM leader.
The group departed from the Coast City, Friday night.
The Port City has been the bastion of Baba for more than two decades, evidently in the last General Election, where ODM dominated the region, clinching the Gubernatorial, Senatorial, and Women Representative seats, along with five of six parliamentary positions and 27 of 30 County Assembly seats.
Mombasa was also the first County that Raila visited to consult his supporters about joining President William Ruto in forming a Broad-Based Government that would include ODM members.
The former Prime Minister frequently spent time in Mombasa, where he owned a house in Nyali and often hosted close allies.
The ODM’s 20th anniversary celebrations, initially planned for October in Mombasa, were postponed to November.
Said Abdalla recalled that Raila Odinga’s mentorship greatly shaped his life, teaching him humility and the value of connecting with ordinary citizens.
“Baba was a role model and an inspiration to me. He pushed me never to give up in life. I will miss his nuggets of wisdom,” Abdalla said, adding that he was shocked to learn of Raila’s passing just days after they had spoken, while Raila was recuperating in India.
The mourners expressed gratitude to Abdalla for making it possible for them to pay their last respects to a man they described as a true defender of the people.
“Raila Odinga loved the people of Mombasa. Attending his burial in Bondo is a great honour, and the only way I can truly pay my last respects to our leader,” said Mwinyi Kombo, one of the mourners.
Tobby Otum, a Raila Odinga supporter for many years, says that the late Odinga never deserted his supporters and he would assist them without shouting or employing the usual public relations gimmicks associated with politicians to be noticed.
“He would call on a person to inquire about his health and do a follow-up on his health condition. When one had a health issue, he would be at hand to focus his attention and to give courage,” said Otum, revealing that Odinga.
“He never entertained malicious rumours about others from anyone. He was a good listener when one called on him to ask questions. Raila never ignored anyone interested in a political career,” he added.
Otum noted that Raila doesn’t hold grudges and is not vengeful, but a forgiving and effervescent person who will be dearly missed by millions of Kenyans.
“Raila had a heart of gold, always ready to assist and was ready to crack jokes with any person, whether his age mate or not,” Otum added.
