Ida Odinga hails Ruto’s intervention in Raila Odinga’s funeral
By Joel Masibo, January 7, 2026The late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s spouse, Ida Odinga, has praised President William Ruto for his speedy intervention that led to the smooth repatriation of the former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leaders’ body from India following his death in October 2025.
Raila Odinga died on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, while undergoing treatment in India, before the government, led by President Ruto, took over the entire state funeral process that ended on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at his Bondo home in Siaya County.
While marking what would have been the 81st birthday of the late Raila Odinga on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Mama Ida also shared gratitude to everyone who, in one way or another, made it possible for the family to give the former PM the dignified exit that he received.
Hand of friendship
”Mr President, we saw the hand of friendship. We felt the positive weight of government, at your direction, and we are grateful. Your hands-on, decisive and swift actions enabled us transfer Baba’s body from India to Kenya in record time and bury him within the timelines in his will,” Mama Ida Odinga said in a thank you note.
She added that it is not possible to name or know everyone or every institution that made this possible, but she singled out some.
”On behalf of our family, I want to thank the President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Dr William Samoei Ruto and the entire government that he mobilised and deployed at the service of Baba,” she added.
She also thanked the govebnment of India on the same: ”We thank our friend, Rt. Honourable Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, for the personal and executive interventions that made it possible for his friend’s body to leave India swiftly, enabling his friend’s will to be respected,” Mama Ida Odinga said.
She also hailed retired heads of states, among other Africa’s top leaders, including Uhuru Kenyatta, for their efforts towards Raila Odinga’s sendoff: ”We felt the friendship of former Presidents H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo, H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, and H.E Akinwumi Adesina of the African Development Bank. We are grateful.” She said.
Dedicated medical team
On behalf of the Odinga family, Mama Ida also shared gratitude to the dedicated medical team led by Dr. David Oluoch-Olunya, Dr Martin Wanyoike, Dr Eva Njenga, Dr Robin Mogere, and Dr Abdul Msaddi, the staff of all the hospitals, both in Kenya and in India, who attended to Raila Odinga.
Ida Odinga also appealed to those whom Raila Odinga left in the leadership of the ODM to reflect deeply and sincerely on his dreams for the party and the country.