Emotional moment as Ichung’wah recalls his last phone call with Raila
By Mabonga Makhanu, October 15, 2025National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has almost broken down as he paid tribute to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who passed away in India earlier in the day.
Speaking during a parliamentary session on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, Ichung’wah struggled to hold back tears as he recalled his final phone conversation with Raila, which took place just weeks earlier while condoling with him following the demise of his father, Isaac Ngugi, who died at 105 years.
Kikuyu legislator who is known for his activeness and vibrancy whenever he is in parliament, today was at his lowest; he described the news of Raila’s death as heartbreaking and noted that the former Prime Minister had personally called to offer condolences over the loss of his father.
He revealed that although Raila mentioned feeling slightly unwell, he could not personally visit his home to condole with his family as other leaders did then. Raila himself never gave any indication of the seriousness of his condition.
Ichung’wah reflected on Raila’s humility and warmth, recalling how the opposition leader often addressed him affectionately and maintained a cordial relationship with leaders across the political divide. He described the moment the news was announced by President William Ruto as one of the most difficult in recent memory, especially for those who had interacted with Raila in recent weeks.
“Honourable speaker, when the news was broken to us early this morning by His Excellency, the President, it was a difficult moment, because only a few weeks ago, I spoke to the former Prime Minister when he called to condole with me when I lost my dad,” he said
“And he was a bit, but he didn’t indicate to me that he was a little bit under the weather, and he will not be able to join us, but, honourable speaker,” he added.
Raila’s death
Raila Odinga passed away on Wednesday morning during his routine morning walk while in the company of his daughter and sister in India, where he had gone for medical treatment.
The president has ordered a seven-day mourning period, during which flags in all Kenyan embassies and diplomatic offices will fly at half-mast. The late former prime minister will be accorded a state funeral with full military honours.
The National Assembly has now adjourned its Wednesday sitting and slated Thursday as the day when parliamentarians will converge to pay tribute to the departed former prime minister.