Raila’s Voice Still Echoes as Family Struggles to Heal One Year After His Death

For the family of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, waking up to a new day has not necessarily meant moving on from the pain of losing him.

A year after his death, his voice continues to reach them through radio broadcasts, television reports and public tributes, making it difficult for the family to find moments of peace away from the memories of their loved one.

Raila’s sister, Dr Akinyi Wenwa, spoke about the family’s pain on Wednesday, October 14, during a candle-lighting ceremony at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County, ahead of the first anniversary of his death.

Wenwa said that whenever the family switches on the radio, they often hear Raila’s name and voice, reminding them of the man they lost.

She also explained that visits to his mausoleum, which could offer the family a quiet place to reflect, often bring them face to face with other Kenyans who are still struggling to accept his death.

Sometimes, instead of receiving comfort from others, the family finds itself comforting fellow mourners who are equally affected by the loss.

Wenwa said the family continues to draw strength from faith and the support of people who share in their grief.

Her remarks reveal a difficult reality for families who lose loved ones whose lives touched many people. While the public remembers a national leader, those closest to him must also learn to live with his absence in their everyday lives.

Raila’s widow, Ida Odinga, has also spoken about the difficulty of accepting his death. She revealed that she sometimes still expects her husband to return home, remembering how he would often arrive late.

Ida urged Kenyans to use the anniversary to remember Raila peacefully, saying the occasion should not be turned into a political rally.

She noted that people knew her husband in different ways, including as a father, brother, engineer and friend, and called on Kenyans to respect one another despite their political differences.

Raila died in India on October 15, 2025, while receiving medical treatment. His death marked the end of a political career that spanned decades and made him one of Kenya’s most prominent political figures.

As the family prepares to mark one year since his passing, their message shows that grief does not always follow a timetable. For them, healing will require more than the passage of time; it will also depend on faith, support and learning to live with the memories he left behind.