Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has acknowledged the towering influence of the late Raila Odinga, placing him at the center of Kenya’s politics for three decades.

In a statement on his X page on Sunday, November 2, 2025, Mwaura commented on how the fallen ODM leader was the gravitational centre of Kenyan politics, with all politicians either aligning with him or rebelling against him.

Raila’s Influence

Mwaura stated that Raila’s influence often resulted in the phenomena associated with either a strong affection for the politician, ‘Railamania’, or a strong disdain often referred to as ‘Railaphobia’.

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“Raila Odinga has been the most consequential ‘political father’ of our times, such that the ‘children’ either rebelled or aligned themselves with him, in what came to be known as either Railamania or Railaphobia,” he stated.

His remarks come as tributes continue to pour in for the fallen leader who shaped modern Kenyan political discourse, alliances, and rivalries.

Chief Justice Martha Koome and a delegation from the Iteso Community were among the latest delegations to pay a visit to Raila Opoda’s farm in honour the departed leader on Saturday, November 2, 2025.

Stream of visitors

Led by Teso North MP Oku Kaunya, the Iteso delegation visited the Odinga family at Opoda Farm and Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County.

Teso South MP Mary Emaase and Busia Deputy Speaker Ronald Ochalu were among the other prominent members of the delegation.

On her part, the CJ described Raila as a constitutional leader who trusted legal institutions even during the most difficult political periods.

“I was only 26 years old,” she wrote, noting that the encounter gave her a firsthand view of Raila’s courage and faith in justice. She said their paths crossed again in the 1990s during the struggle for multi-party democracy and a new constitutional order.

In her message posted on Saturday, Koome noted that many remember Raila for the three presidential election petitions that shaped Kenya’s electoral jurisprudence, but she highlighted his earlier public interest litigation.

The visits added to a steady stream of prominent figures who have travelled to Bondo since Raila’s burial on October 19. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta visited the grave on Mashujaa Day, 2 days after delivering an emotional eulogy at the state funeral.

Other recent visitors include former Ghanaian president Nana Akufo-Addo, Gideon Moi, Charlene Ruto, former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, and delegations from across the country.