Odinga family bids emotional farewell to cousin Jacob Midiwo
By Kenneth Mwenda, June 20, 2026The Odinga family joined relatives and friends in emotional scenes as they laid to rest Prof. Jacob Ogweno Midiwo, a respected chemist, mentor, and cousin of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The burial held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, brought together political leaders, academics, and family members who described his death as a major loss to both the family and Kenya’s academic community.
Midiwo died on June 8, 2026, after spending about a month in intensive care at a Nairobi hospital. His brother, Jalang’o Midiwo, announced the death and said the family had suffered a painful loss.
“It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my elder brother, Prof. Jacob Ogweno Midiwo,” he said. “He passed away while receiving treatment after a month-long battle in the ICU. His passing is a devastating loss to our family, the academic community, and all whose lives he touched.”
Family members later moved his body to Lee Funeral Home as burial plans began. A requiem mass was held at St Francis Church in Karen, where close relatives and friends gathered for prayers and tributes.
Raila Odinga Junior and Winnie Odinga attended the service, joining other family members in mourning. Raila Junior said the family had come together to honour a man who played an important role in their lives.
“I joined family and friends at the requiem Mass of my late uncle, Professor Jacob Ogweno Midiwo, at St Francis Karen to celebrate his life and honour his legacy,” he wrote. “May his soul rest in peace.”
Other senior family members, including Ida Odinga, who addressed several issues, including school unrest, and Oburu Odinga, also attended the burial ceremonies in Nairobi and later travelled to Gem in Siaya County for the final send-off.
Oburu Odinga described Midiwo as a man who combined academic excellence with community service. He said the professor used education to uplift others and left a lasting mark on students and the wider society.
“Professor Midiwo’s true genius lay far beyond the lecture halls and laboratories,” Oburu said. “He built pathways for the next generation and turned private success into public progress.”
Emotional burial in Gem
The burial in Gem attracted mourners from across Siaya County and beyond. Local leaders, academics, and former students filled the homestead as they paid their last respects. The atmosphere remained heavy, with moments of silence, prayer, and emotional tributes.
Jacob Midiwo built a strong career in science. He earned his BSc from the University of Nairobi and a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Maryland in the United States. He rose to become a professor at the University of Nairobi’s Chiromo Campus and later served as professor of chemistry at Maseno University.
His research focused on phytochemistry and natural products from Kenyan and African medicinal plants. He studied compounds with potential against malaria, bacterial infections and other diseases.
His papers appeared in respected international journals such as Phytochemistry, Planta Medica and the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. He also served as Vice President for the Africa region of the International Organization of Chemists in Development working group on plant chemistry.
The Midiwo and Odinga families have faced several losses in recent years, including the death of former Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo in 2021. Relatives said Jacob’s passing added another painful chapter but also brought the family closer in shared grief.