Ida Odinga has recounted the painful moment she learnt of her husband Raila Odinga’s death, revealing that their daughter, Winnie Odinga, broke the news to her after doctors in India failed to resuscitate the former Prime Minister.
Ida shared the memories during an interview at Opoda Farm in Bondo, Siaya County, ahead of the first anniversary of Raila’s death on October 15, 2026.
President William Ruto is expected to lead national commemorations at Migwena Grounds in Bondo, where members of the Odinga family, political leaders from across the political divide and members of the public will gather to honour the former Prime Minister’s life and reflect on his legacy.
The anniversary events were preceded by a night vigil at Kang’o ka Jaramogi, attended by Ida, family members and local leaders.
Recounting the events leading to her husband’s death, Ida said she had spoken to Raila the previous day and had not noticed anything unusual about his health.
“The day before he passed away, we talked quite a lot. We were talking about ordinary things. There was nothing unusual, no alarm and nothing to suggest that he was unwell. He even assured me that he was feeling very well and that there was nothing wrong,” she said.
The following morning, Ida received a call from Raila’s sister, Dr Akinyi Wenwa, who asked her to contact another sister, Ruth Adhiambo, who was accompanying him in India.
Ida said Akinyi expressed concern about the situation and urged her to establish what was happening.
After failing to reach Ruth, Ida called Winnie, who was also in India with her father.
Winnie informed her that Raila had collapsed while taking a walk and that medical personnel were attempting to save his life.
Ida said she was shocked when her daughter explained that doctors were trying to resuscitate him and had taken him to the intensive care unit.
“I asked, ‘Resuscitate?’ She said, ‘Yes. They are taking him to the ICU, and they are trying to resuscitate him, but I’ll keep you informed,’” she recalled.
About 10 minutes later, Winnie called again with the news that Raila had died.
“Ten minutes later, Winnie called me and said, ‘Mum, we’ve lost the battle.’ I asked, ‘What? What are you saying?’ Then she said, ‘Dad is gone.’ And that is how I received the news,” Ida said.
Nearly a year after his death, Ida said coming to terms with the loss had remained difficult, even after her husband’s body was returned to Kenya and he was laid to rest.
She explained that returning home and encountering familiar routines often reminded her of his absence.
“It has been difficult because, sometimes, I personally don’t believe he is gone,” she said.
Ida recalled how Raila would sometimes stay out late, leaving her waiting for him to return home. She said the habit still shapes how she experiences his absence.
“When he was here, he would sometimes stay out late before coming home. So, whenever I go home, I keep hoping that he is going to come back. You wait and wait until late into the night, and then you realise that he is not coming,” she said.
She added that reminders of their life together remain visible in the house, including his clothes and the chair he regularly occupied.
Despite the pain, Ida said her Christian faith had helped her cope with the loss and sustain her belief that Raila’s legacy lives on.
“But we thank God because I know that even if he is not physically present, his spirit is alive, and his spirit is with us,” she said.
Raila, one of Kenya’s most influential political figures, served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 and remained a central figure in the country’s political landscape for decades. His first death anniversary has brought together family, political allies and leaders from across the political divide to remember his life and contribution to the country.
