Kasmuel McOure: I never thought Raila could die
By Ascah Mwango, October 24, 2025ODM Youth League leader Kasmuel McOure says he is still struggling to come to terms with the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, a man he describes as a father figure, mentor, and friend who completely changed his life.
Speaking on the Iko Nini Podcast on Friday, October 24, 2025, Kasmuel recalled the moment he heard that Raila had died, saying it broke him in a way he had never expected.
Kasmuel said he never imagined Raila could die, confessing that the news of his passing deeply affected him.
“Mimi sikuwai imagine Baba atakufa. Nilijua ataishi hadi 100 or 150 years, na aende kwa mountain turn into ashes. I sobbed like a baby. To me, he was a friend,” he said.
Kasmuel spoke of countless moments when Raila offered him guidance and encouragement, especially when he was finding his place in politics.
“He always looked out for me. He wanted me to grow, to do better, and to represent ODM well,” he said.
On the night of October 15, 2025, after Raila’s death was confirmed, Kasmuel shared an emotional tribute on his X page.
“To the eternal gentleman, Baba. I’ll miss you deeply, my friend. Thank you for saving my life last year,” he wrote.
Adding;
“Thank you for making me the man I am today. Fare thee well, my forever hero.”
Alongside the tribute, Kasmuel posted a screenshot of one of his last WhatsApp conversations with Raila. In it, he had sought advice about attending two different meetings, and Raila encouraged him to go to both, saying they would give him a platform to share ODM’s story and experiences.
Spoilt
Kasmuel also revealed that Raila was a generous man who often supported him financially whenever he travelled abroad.
“He would just give it anytime I travelled abroad. For example, when I went to the United States, I received a significant amount from him personally, in addition to the money provided by the US government. To be honest, I cannot reveal the exact total of money he gave me because people would start talking excessively, but for that trip, it was around 8,000 US dollars,” he said.
Raila Odinga passed away on October 15, 2025, while receiving treatment in Kochi, Kerala, India. He was 80 years old. The family confirmed that he suffered a cardiac arrest while undergoing medical care.