Gor Mahia Football Club has bid farewell to its long-serving patron, the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, in a solemn tribute that mirrored the nation’s grief.

The club’s emotional farewell came as Raila was laid to rest on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at his family home in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Bondo, Siaya County.

“Rest easy Baba, As the casket is lowered into the earth at exactly 4.52pm local time, a nation whispers as one: REST IN ETERNAL PEACE our Patron, Raila Odinga,” read Gor Mahia FC X post dated October 19, 2025.

Gor Mahia’s heartfelt tribute

Record Kenya Premier League champions Gor Mahia paid tribute shortly after attending Raila’s state funeral at Nyayo National Stadium. “In profound sorrow, we bid farewell to a true pillar of our club, one of our most devoted fans, our Patron Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga. Through every high and low, his unwavering support, steadfast leadership and allegiance to Mahia never faltered. Rest In Peace, Baba,” read the club’s statement.

Raila Jr led mourners in singing Gor Mahia’s famous K’Ogalo anthem, “Kogalo, Gor Gor Mahia!”—a moment that blended grief with the passion of the Green Army faithful.

Leadership transition

Following Odinga’s death, Gor Mahia appointed Eliud Owalo as the new patron. In a statement signed by chairman Ambrose Rachier, the club described Raila’s passing as a great loss.

“To avoid the vacuum created thereby, the Gor Mahia Executive Committee wishes to notify the general public, the football fraternity in general, and Gor Mahia Football Club members in particular, that the Deputy Patron Hon. Eliud Owalo FHRM, FESK, EGH will act as the club patron with immediate effect,” the statement read.

Nation bids farewell

The burial, held in a private ceremony attended by President William Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, family members, friends, and military officers, marked the close of a historic chapter. Seventeen shots from the military echoed through the quiet air as a final salute to the veteran opposition leader. Raila was laid to rest with his iconic hat and fly whisk beside him, symbols of his authority and identity.

Church leaders led hymns and prayers, followed by a one-minute moment of silence in honour of the late statesman. He was buried next to his mother, Mary Ajuma Odinga, in the family compound that also holds the graves of his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, and his son, Fidel Castro Odinga. A portrait of Raila alongside a military officer during his final honours captured the weight of a nation’s loss.

President Ruto described Raila as “a mentor, teacher, and patriot.” He said, “Raila Odinga was not just a leader of a political party; he was a leader of a nation. We will continue to walk in the direction he pointed us towards.” He also thanked Raila’s longtime aide, Maurice Ogeta, for his loyalty and reaffirmed his political partnership with ODM.