Winnie Odinga: Raila did not die like people have been saying on social media
By Kenneth Mwenda, October 17, 2025Winnie Odinga, Raila Odinga’s daughter and lastborn, has revealed that her father passed away in her arms while they were on a walk in India. She shared the news on Friday, October 17, 2025, at Nyayo National Stadium while paying an emotional tribute to her departed father.
Her words offered a personal glimpse into the private life of one of Kenya’s most influential leaders.
“In a good way, sometimes, when I learned that you would be buried in 72 hours, I laughed. Good old dad, testing and planning for all of us, even beyond the grave,” she told the thousands gathered at the state funeral.
Winnie described her father as a man who lived with dignity and strength until his last breath.
“The biggest part of me died on the 15th of October 2025. I was with him in India when he took his last breath. He died in my arms,” she said.
“But he did not die like people have been saying on social media. Every day he was waking up and walking. And every day he would do one round. The next day, he would push two rounds. That morning, he pushed to five rounds.”
“He died strong, with dignity and with pride. And you must be proud of that. You all must also walk with your heads held high. And walk strong and proud that he left as a gentleman,”
Lessons from Raila’s life
Winnie also reflected on the lessons her father imparted to the nation and his family. She said Raila taught that love for the country is shown through sacrifice, that justice must be pursued even when the path is lonely, and that true leadership is service, not power. She encouraged mourners to honour his legacy by standing firm and continuing his work.
At the personal level, Winnie painted a picture of Raila as a gentle and humorous father who loved storytelling and music.
The state funeral drew leaders from across East Africa, reflecting Raila Odinga’s influence beyond Kenya. Raila Odinga’s political career spanned decades. He entered politics in 1992 after six years of detention following the 1982 coup attempt.
He served as Member of Parliament for Langata, led multiple political parties, including the National Development Party and the Orange Democratic Movement, and became Kenya’s Prime Minister in 2008 following a controversial election and a power-sharing agreement. Raila contested presidential elections five times, consistently challenging the political establishment and pushing for reforms, including anti-corruption measures, inclusive governance, and sustainable development.
Beyond politics, Raila was a successful entrepreneur, and he taught at the University of Nairobi. He also played a key role in international peace and reconciliation efforts in countries like Mozambique, Burundi, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe.