The clergy in Homa Bay have called on political leaders and Kenyans across the country to protect and uphold the legacy of the late former Prime Minister and ODM Party leader, Raila Odinga.
Speaking on Thursday under the umbrella of the Homa Bay Interfaith Network, the clergy, led by their chairman Bishop Dr. Abrahams Wanda Odongo, called on leaders to maintain the political arrangement Odinga had established prior to his death and to ensure his ideals of democracy, devolution, and national unity continue to guide the country.
“We ask all our leaders to protect and jealously guard the legacy, gains, and milestones that Kenyans have made through the efforts and sacrifices of the late Hon. Raila Odinga,” the bishop said, “The only way to show respect for Raila is to make democracy and devolution work,” he added.
The clergy further appealed to the government to honour Odinga posthumously by naming or renaming a public park or national landmark in Nairobi after him, saying it would serve as a lasting tribute to a man who shaped Kenya’s democratic journey.
They also called on ODM party members to remain united under their current leadership and avoid premature succession debates.
The clergy mourned Odinga describing him as a selfless statesman and a unifying figure whose contributions extended beyond Kenya’s borders.
“It is with deep pain that we mourn a great statesman, nationalist, and icon of democracy and liberation. Raila always placed the interests of the nation above his own and chose peace over bloodshed even at the height of political tensions,” said Odongo.
The religious leaders further praised Odinga for his pivotal role in championing multi-party democracy in the 1990s and for advocating constitutional reforms that led to the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution and devolution.
They remembered him as a leader who valued Kenya’s cultural and ethnic diversity, promoted women’s and youth empowerment, and encouraged social cohesion through sports and cultural heritage.
SUPKEM Secretary and Vice Chair of the Homa Bay Interfaith Network Nuhu Omollo Masoud also mourned Odinga, describing him as a peace advocate who spread goodwill across all communities.
“If you were a leader working for Raila, now that he is no more, you can no longer work for him. But if you were a servant of the people, continue doing so to carry his legacy forward,” urged Masoud.
Rev. Kennedy Odeny, the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Secretary and Organizing Secretary of the Interfaith Network, urged politicians to avoid exploiting Odinga’s death for personal gain.
“This is not the time for political fights. Let us lay him to rest with dignity and uphold the unity he stood for,” he said.
The clergy further appealed for peace, calm, and orderliness as preparations for Odinga’s burial continue, urging youths to avoid road barricades and allow for smooth travel and mourning across the country.
by Sitna Omar
