Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has penned an emotional tribute to the late Raila Odinga, describing his death as a nightmare that she still struggles to accept.

In a heartfelt post on her Facebook account posted on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, Wanga said the pain of losing Raila was impossible to fathom, revealing that she had spoken to him just two days before his death.

“You were full of life, jokes and laughter. We discussed the ODM at 20 activities and the upcoming by-elections, and you said you would be back early next week,” she wrote.

Also watch: ODM turns Kajiado rally into mourning event for late Raila Odinga.

Wanga described Raila not just as a political mentor but as a father figure who shaped her journey in leadership. “I lost my father early in life, and in politics, you became my father,” she said.

“When I ran to become Women Representative of Homa Bay against giants, you embraced me and enrolled me into the Raila Odinga Academy of Leadership,” she added

She hailed Raila as a man of consistency and conviction, one who never wavered in his beliefs.

“When Baba believed in an issue, you were sure to receive the same position from him whether you spoke in the day or woke him in the middle of the night,” she recalled, adding that his commitment to devolution and democracy remained steadfast even when unpopular.

Wanga said Raila’s vision for Kenya was unmatched, describing him as a unifier who built ODM into a national powerhouse.

“ODM became a home for millions, uniting Kenyans from Vanga in Kwale to Todonyang in Turkana. Almost every political leader in today’s landscape passed through his hands,” she said.

She added that Raila’s resilience was his greatest strength, a man who suffered imprisonment, electoral injustice, and betrayal but never bowed his head in defeat.

“He walked tall, exuded hope, and carried even the greatest injustices with grace,” she said.

Wanga also noted Raila’s selflessness in moments of national crisis, saying he always placed Kenya above himself.

“Whenever the fabric of the nation was at stake, Baba was quick to put his personal interests aside and choose unity and reconciliation,” she stated

She ended her tribute with a moving farewell: “Baba, you fought a good fight. Go well, Agwambo, Tinga, Wuod Nyalego, Wuon Fidel. Jowi! Jowi! Jowi!” she wrote