Oburu Odinga reveals reason behind visible marks on Raila’s head and mouth
By Kiprono Keileb, October 19, 2025As thousands gathered at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University to bid farewell to Raila Amolo Odinga, his elder brother, Oburu Odinga, took mourners back to the childhood days of the man many called Baba.
In an emotional recollection, Oburu shared on Sunday, October 19, 2025, the story behind the two visible marks that many had noticed on Raila’s head and mouth. He said the marks were a reminder of Raila’s humble beginnings, his playful youth, and his remarkable courage that defined him throughout his life.
“We grew together with Raila; if you people saw, he has a mark on his face and another mark on his mouth,” Oburu said, his voice filled with emotion as he stood before mourners gathered to pay their final respects.
He went on to explain that the first mark, on Raila’s mouth, dated back to their childhood days in Kisumu, when the two brothers often spent their time playing in open fields.
“The one on his mouth was in Kisumu when we were playing at where Ofafa Memorial is currently, where we were playing and jumping over mango trees, and Raila fell, got injured, and I had to carry him on my back,” Oburu recounted.
He remembered how people laughed at him as he rushed to help his younger brother. “People were laughing at me that I was crying because Raila was injured,” he said.
Oburu also shared that the second mark, on Raila’s head, was a result of an accident he had while in Germany. “And the other one on his head is from an accident he got in in Germany. He was a brave man,” Oburu said.
His words painted a deeply personal image of Raila, not just as a political giant, but as a brother, a friend, and a man of great resilience.
For many who listened, Oburu’s tribute offered a glimpse into the private life of the man who had spent decades in the public eye fighting for justice and democracy. It was a moment that reminded the nation that, beyond the politics and history books, Raila Odinga was also a beloved brother and son of the soil.