PLP leader Martha Karua has praised Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo for their speeches during the burial of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, describing them as genuine and reflective of Raila’s legacy.

Speaking during an interview at Alfa House on Tuesday, October 22, 2025, Karua said most of the speeches delivered at the funeral appeared rehearsed and politically driven, with several leaders seemingly seeking to impress the government rather than pay tribute to Raila.

She noted that the event, meant to celebrate a national hero, was turned into a political showcase dominated by UDA members and a section of ODM leaders aligned to the government.

Karua pointed out that only Sifuna and Orengo delivered speeches that captured the true spirit of Raila Odinga.

She said Sifuna’s message stood out for challenging attempts to impose political narratives on the late leader’s legacy, while Orengo reminded mourners that Raila was a firm believer in multiparty democracy and political freedom.

Also watch: Sifuna: It is the privilege of my life to have met Baba.

“Perhaps Edwin Sifuna and James Orengo, the Secretary General. Everybody else was speaking to a script. And they even dared to call the elders because they want to spellbindthe community and Luo Nyanza to show that this is where we were left. This is the paddock we must grace only for Edwin Sifuna to tell them, “Don’t put words into the dead man’s mouth.” Karua said.

The PLP leader further criticised those who organised the event for sidelining genuine opposition voices, arguing that the funeral should have reflected the values Raila fought for, including justice, unity, and democracy.

Khalwale’s perspective

On his part, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale also commended Orengo’s speech, saying it was one of the few that captured Raila’s lifelong contribution to Kenya’s political history.

 Khalwale said many of the other speakers focused too much on Raila’s recent years in government rather than his decades of struggle for reform and democracy.

“However, I was personally disappointed that we sat there for long hours, and many speakers, speaker after speaker, save for the Governor of Siaya, James Orengo, made important speeches but clearly limited the contribution that Raila made to the political landscape of this country to his sunset days in the broad-based government,” Khalwale said.