Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has joined Kenyans and global leaders in mourning the death of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, describing the loss as deeply personal and profoundly painful.
In a heartfelt statement released on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, the former Head of State said the news of Raila’s passing had left him “heartbroken and burdened with grief.” Uhuru, who shared both rivalry and camaraderie with Raila over decades of Kenya’s political history, said the late leader’s death had left “a silence where once there was a voice of thunder and conviction.”
A Personal Loss
“My heart is heavy, and my spirit is burdened with a grief that is both profound and deeply personal. The news of Raila’s passing has left a silence that echoes across our nation — a silence where once there was a voice of thunder and conviction,” Uhuru stated.
“I have lost a friend and a brother. I will miss our conversations — sometimes challenging, always insightful — and the fire of belief that never left his eyes,” he added.
Meanwhile, scenes of mourning were reported in Bondo, Siaya County, where residents gathered at Raila’s Opoda home to grieve the passing of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader.
From Adversaries to Allies
Uhuru also reflected on his transformative relationship with Raila, recalling how they transitioned from fierce political rivals to partners in unity through the historic March 9, 2018 Handshake at Harambee House.
“To me, Raila was more than a political colleague; he was a defining part of my own journey — in public service and in life. Raila and I were navigators on opposing currents, charting different courses for the nation we both loved,” Uhuru said.
“At some point along that journey, we became political opponents, and often, the weight of that competition felt immense. Baba, as we fondly referred to him, was a man who made you sharpen your own ideas, compelling you to defend your positions with rigour and passion. However, in recent years, a different bond was forged — one of respect, shared patriotism, and a common desire to see a united Kenya.”
The retired president’s message captures the deep respect and mutual recognition that came to define their later years, transforming one of Kenya’s most intense political rivalries into a partnership rooted in unity and reconciliation.
