The Kenyan High Commission to Canada was a hive of activity on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, as foreign diplomats continued to pay tribute to the late Raila Odinga.

Led by Carolyne Kamende, the Kenyan High Commissioner, Ottawa, and Geoffrey Kaituko, Deputy Head of Mission, the Kenyan mission oversaw a unique moment of solidarity with the grieving Kenyans.

Up to 20 diplomatic missions convened to sign the condolences book for the departed former leader.

Among those who signed were Ambassador Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz (Cuba), Tewodros Girma (Ethiopia), Geneviève Tuts (European Union), Amadou Diallo (Mali), Simon Atieku (Ghana), Kajik Allan (Uganda), Mohammad Younis (Palestine), and Kiritharan Kumarasamy (Sri Lanka), who conveyed their countries’ condolences to the government and people of Kenya.

In addition, the High Commission confirmed that the diplomatic missions of Türkiye, Nigeria, Pakistan, Jamaica, Russia, Israel and Malaysia similarly conveyed their condolences and signed the condolence book on behalf of their governments and countries.

The United States of America, Zambia, the Philippines, South Africa, and Italy also took part in the exercise that happened a week after Raila’s passing in India on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

Reacting to the outpouring of emotions, the Kenyan foreign mission stated that the unity in the face of tragedy underscored the esteemed global stature with which Raila Odinga was held.

“Their messages of sympathy and solidarity reflected the high esteem in which the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, C.G.H., was held globally and the enduring impact of his legacy as a champion of democracy, justice, and unity,” a statement from the Kenyan High Commission stated.

The continued outpouring of grief occasioned by Raila’s death abroad comes amid a storm of sorts at home following recent remarks from Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga to the effect that the death was God-sent.

Backlash

In a video captured on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, during a burial ceremony in Nyeri, Kahiga said the Mt Kenya region had no hatred toward anyone but suggested that Raila’s death was part of divine intervention.

He went on to claim that the late ODM Party Leader’s close ties with President William Ruto had shifted the government’s focus toward the Nyanza region, leaving others sidelined.

The remarks have elicited an avalanche of reactions, with leaders and members of the public condemning the politician’s inappropriate remarks.