Raila Junior, the son of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has vowed to continue speaking out on national issues as a way of honouring his father’s legacy of courage, leadership and public service.

Speaking during the Gor Mahia presentation of the recently won trophy to his mother, Ida Odinga, in honour of the late Raila, who was their patron, Raila Junior acknowledged that being outspoken does not come naturally to him but said he feels compelled to step forward following the death of his father.

“I will continue speaking. I will continue being outgoing, and I am not going to go back or back down because I feel that to honour my father, I need to be more present and show more leadership, especially to the youths who need more leadership. I will continue speaking out even though it is not my style,” he said.

His desire to fill part of the void left by his father’s passing is not entirely new. Shortly after Raila Odinga’s death, a traditional ceremony was held at the family’s Opoda Farm in Siaya County, where Raila Junior was symbolically installed as the new head of the Odinga family.

Luo ceremony

During the ceremony, he underwent traditional rites that included being shaved and receiving several symbolic instruments of authority. Among the items handed to him were a bow and arrows, which elders said signified his responsibility to protect his late father’s homestead and family heritage.

He was also given a spear as a symbol of leadership and responsibility. Another notable item was a fly whisk, similar to the one frequently carried by Raila Odinga during important public functions.

In Luo culture, the fly whisk is often associated with leadership, authority and the responsibility of guiding the community.

Elders who presided over the ceremony offered prayers and words of wisdom, urging Raila Junior to safeguard the family’s legacy and uphold the values that his father stood for throughout his political career.

Kamba coronation

The symbolic transfer of responsibility did not stop there. During a visit to the Odinga family home, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka also presented Raila Junior with traditional items associated with leadership and protection in Kamba culture.

The gesture was widely interpreted as a show of solidarity and recognition of the role Raila Junior was expected to play following his father’s death.

Since then, Raila Junior has increasingly found himself in the public spotlight. He has spoken on a variety of issues, particularly those touching on the Odinga family and the legacy of the late opposition leader.