The Indian community in Nairobi has announced plans to honour the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga with a grand statue in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD), hailing him as a visionary leader who championed unity, democracy, and justice in Kenya.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, October 26, 2025, former Parklands Highridge MCA Jayendra Malde revealed that the community is prepared to fully fund and construct the monument as a tribute to Raila’s immense contribution to the nation’s democratic journey.
“We, as the Indian community, are ready to build BABA a big statue in the CBD in his memory, provided the governor approves,” wrote Malde, who represented Parklands Highridge between 2017 and 2022.
He added that the community would formally write to President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja requesting an official site for the statue. According to Malde, the monument will stand as a lasting symbol of Raila’s legacy and the values he stood for — freedom, inclusivity, and good governance.
“The Indian community in Kenya has benefited from the peaceful and democratic environment that Baba helped shape. We believe a statue in the heart of Nairobi will remind future generations of selflessness, courage, and patriotism,” Malde stated.
The proposal, which has drawn significant attention online, underscores the deep respect and admiration Odinga commanded across communities and generations. Many Nairobi residents have lauded the idea, describing it as a fitting tribute to a man whose political influence transcended ethnic and social divides.
If approved, the statue would join other iconic monuments in Nairobi’s CBD — such as the Tom Mboya statue — that honour Kenya’s historical and political figures.
Raila Odinga passed away on October 15, 2025, in India, where he was receiving specialised treatment. He was later laid to rest at his ancestral home in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Bondo, Siaya County.
