Kang’o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County, holds the history of one of Kenya’s most influential families. It is a homestead and a resting place for several generations of the Odinga family.

The site, which also houses the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum, will now be the final resting place of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.

Raila will be buried beside his mother, Mary Ajuma Odinga, as per his wishes. His body was flown to Bondo on Saturday afternoon, October 18, 2025, after an emotional public viewing in Kisumu.

The burial will take place on Sunday, October 19, at the family compound, where the graves of his parents, siblings, and son lie.

The resting place of the Odingas

Kang’o Ka Jaramogi sits quietly in Nyamira village, surrounded by trees and memories. It is here that Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first Vice President and a central figure in the struggle for independence, was buried after his death in 1994.

His grave lies within a small mausoleum that also serves as a museum. The site preserves artefacts from his political life, including photos, letters, and gifts he received from world leaders.

Jaramogi’s wife, Mary Ajuma Odinga, was the matriarch of the family. She died in November 1984 while Raila was in detention after the 1982 coup attempt.

Authorities delayed telling him about her death for two months, something he later described as a painful act of cruelty. She was buried at the family graveyard, and now, more than 40 years later, her son will be laid to rest beside her.

The family graves

The family cemetery at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi tells the story of the Odingas’ personal joys and sorrows. Apart from Jaramogi and his wife, several of their children rest there.

Ngire Omuodo Agola, one of Jaramogi’s daughters, died in 1983 at the age of 36. Another daughter, Margaret Akinyi Oginga, passed away in 1996, just two years after their father. Both lived private lives, away from politics, and are remembered for their humility and warmth.

Shadrack Osewe Oginga, another of Jaramogi’s sons, was a businessman who kept away from politics. He died in 1999 and was buried near his parents.

The grave of Fidel Castro Odinga, Raila’s eldest son, stands out among the newer tombstones. Named after the Cuban revolutionary leader, Fidel died in January 2015 at the age of 41.

He was deeply involved in his father’s political activities, especially during the 2013 election. His death shocked the family and the nation. His grave, marked with a simple headstone, carries flowers from visitors who still come to pay their respects.

Near Fidel’s grave lies a small tombstone that often draws quiet emotion, that of Raila Osewe Jr., a grandson of Jaramogi, who died in 1992 just days after turning three.

The meaning of Kang’o Ka Jaramogi

Locals say “Kang’o” means “a place of unification” or “a stone of the first wife.” The homestead was once the home of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, and it still carries his spirit. The compound has several traditional Luo houses, known as simbas, including those that belonged to Raila and his elder brother, Oburu Oginga.

At the entrance stands a statue of a lion, a symbol of courage and leadership. It reflects both Jaramogi’s defiance in politics and Raila’s fearless pursuit of justice. The lion also appears on Jaramogi’s grave, linking it to his Ford Kenya party, which used the animal as its emblem.

Inside the homestead, Jaramogi’s first house has been preserved as part of a small museum. It contains family portraits, books, cultural artefacts, and gifts from local and international guests. Visitors can also see certificates and items that belonged to both Jaramogi and Raila, showing their long journey in public service.

The mausoleum itself was opened on January 20, 1995, by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. It has since been visited by several leaders, including former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018.