Mbadi conveys personal devastation after cancelling US trip to mourn Raila
By Luke Oluoch, October 17, 2025Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has confirmed that he had to cut short official engagements in the United States to join the nation in mourning his former party leader, Raila Odinga.
In a statement shared on his X page on Friday, October 17, 2025, the CS confirmed that news of Raila’s death reached him as he led a delegation of the finance ministry officials at the ongoing IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C.
Also watch: CS John Mbadi: I’m happy that I never betrayed Raila Odinga.
Difficult moments
“Safely landed back in the country to join Kenya, Africa, and the world in mourning the Enigma, Baba Rt. Hon Raila Odinga. This is undeniably one of the most difficult moments in my life. May your beautiful soul rest in peace Baba,” he said.
On Raila’s death, the CS celebrated Raila as a man who played a critical role in shaping his political life.
He described the sudden death of Raila as one of the most difficult times of his life.
The CS is among the so-called ‘experts’ donated to the government by the late Raila Odinga’s party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), following the signing of a pact between the veteran opposition party and President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government back in March, 2025.
“‘I wish to inform the nation that the sad news of Baba Hon. Raila Odinga’s demise found me in Washington DC and I had to cut short the engagements, rush home to join fellow Kenyans during this grieving moment and pay last respect to the Enigma; a man who defined every detail of my leadership & political life. Rest Easy Baba,”
Mourning Raila
The Treasury CS becomes the second to cut short a trip abroad to mourn Raila.
On Thursday, October 16, 2025, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka announced that he would end his 10-day tour of the United Kingdom to return to the country and mourn the late former Prime Minister.
Like Mbadi, Kalonzo—who was Raila Odinga’s long-time ally and twice served as his running mate—said he received the news of Raila’s demise while abroad and has since begun his journey back home.
On Thursday, October 16, President William Ruto led the nation in paying respects to the late Raila Odinga at Moi International Stadium, Kasarani.
Ruto is expected to lead a delegation of government officials and foreign dignitaries in continuing their homage to the departed statesman this Friday at the Nyayo National Stadium, according to the itinerary of the late Prime Minister’s burial.