Leaders in Gusii region joined other regions of the country in mourning the demise of former Prime Minister and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Raila Odinga.
Odinga died on Wednesday morning while receiving medical treatment in India.
In his condolence message to the Odinga’s family and Kenyans in general, Kisii Governor Simba Arati described the former Prime Minister as a dedicated servant leader whose life was devoted to liberating Kenyans from bad governance and guiding Kenya’s democratic path with unwavering stamina and focus thus inspiring many younger leaders.
Arati, who is also the ODM Deputy Party Leader, described Odinga as a friend, mentor and a trusted confidant adding that his death was a painful loss to both the ODM party and the nation at large.
The former Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS), Dr. Fred Matiang’I, mourned Odinga as a statesman, a patriot and an enduring icon of the nation’s second liberation.
“His life is a living testament of courage, self-sacrifice, and an unyielding belief in the sovereignty and dignity of the Kenyan people,” read Dr. Matiang’i’s statement.
The former CS noted that Odinga stood unbowed in his conviction that freedom, democracy and justice must be the pillars of our Republic witnessed in several decades of struggle and public service.
Similarly, Kisii Senator, Richard Onyonka, mourned the opposition icon ‘Baba’ as he was popularly known, as a statesman who stood as the embodiment of Kenya’s struggle for democracy, justice, and equality.
Onyonka said the former Prime Minister stood firmly for the redress of historical injustices and acted as voice of the marginalized, the downtrodden, persons with disabilities, and Kenyan women through relentless advocacy.
“From the days of the struggle for multiparty democracy, you walked shoulder to shoulder with courageous sons of the Gusii region such as George Moseti Anyona, whose unrelenting fight for justice mirrored your own, and Zachary Theodore Onyonka, my father, who, though serving in government, shared your passion for development and equity,” read part of the Senator’s statement.
On his part, Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo described Odinga as one of the most consequential leaders of post-independent Kenya.
Nyaribo said the ODM Party Leader’s demise leaves behind a trail of leaders from the grassroots to the top, nurtured and mentored under his political patronage spanning decades.
by Mercy Osongo
