17/10/2025
My Tribute to Baba, Raila Odinga.
I first met you in early 2015 around January. I did not know that our relationship would go beyond politics, but it did. In Public you referred to me as Kitinda Mimba. I became a son and a friend.
On 7th Oct, eight days before your death, I called you, and you picked my call and we had an easy conversation. You told me you were going out of the country for check up and would be back on Thursday. I didn't know that that would be the last time to speak to you.
Like many other people that you mentored, you ushered me to the political world and one of the things I learnt from you is not to become a bitter person no matter how badly people treated you. You had something positive to give back to the world.
You taught me that politics was not about money, but the people. If you have people you have everything that you need.
Baba today, the world knows that you had people behind you. Many people have acknowledged that there will be no one with such a following for many generations to come.
Despite knowing that you had people behind you, you never used that for your personal gains. You used your influence to try and push regimes to bring in reforms that would make kenya a better place for generations.
For you, you dreamt and desired a different country; A country where one will not be judged, wronged or mistreated because of their tribe—a country where competence will be the only consideration. A country where citizens can fully and meaningfully participate in matters affecting them, and have their voices heard and counted.
How I wish people knew how to live together as country men, criticise each other with no hate in their hearts, connect and stand with each other when the country requires them to.
For those of us who knew your ideals, we will try to make Kenya a better country a day at a time in our small ways. We will endevour to always stand by what is right and always remember to put Kenya first.
Life is not about how long you live but how well you live. You have lived your life well Baba. You have left an impact on many lives—a son and a daughter in Masaai land, Turkana, Central Kenya, North Eastern and every corner of this country is crying and feeling that they have lost a father.
Today your chidren Rosemary, Jnr and Winnie stood for the rest of their siblings in Kenya and the world. They showed courage and I saw you in every one of them. You raised them well, and yes you have left us a gift.
Go well baba, and greet those who have gone before us. Say Hi to Stella my wife, with whom you shared a birthday.
