Kenyans are coming together to remember the life and legacy of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga as the National Steering Committee coordinates a three-day memorial programme running from October 13 to October 15, 2026. The commemorations will culminate in a major gathering at Migwena Cultural and Sports Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County, on Thursday, October 15, marking one year since the veteran opposition leader died.
The anniversary is expected to bring together members of the Odinga family, political leaders, community elders, religious representatives, young people and supporters from different parts of Kenya and beyond.
Rather than focusing exclusively on mourning, the organisers say the programme is intended to celebrate Raila’s contribution to Kenya and encourage reflection on the values he championed throughout his decades in public service.
For many Kenyans, the anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on a political career that influenced the country’s democratic development, public debate and the relationship between citizens and their leaders.
Raila died in India on October 15, 2025, aged 80. His death marked the end of a long and consequential chapter in Kenyan politics, leaving behind a legacy that continues to attract admiration, debate and differing interpretations across the political divide.
Three Days Dedicated to Remembering Raila Odinga
The memorial programme is designed to bring together people of different generations and backgrounds to reflect on Raila’s life, political journey and contribution to Kenya’s national development.
According to the programme released by the Raila Odinga Memorial Anniversary Committee, the activities will take place in Kisumu and Bondo, with each day carrying a distinct purpose.
Day One: Intergenerational Dialogue in Kisumu
The commemorations began on Tuesday, October 13, at Ofafa Memorial Hall in Kisumu, where elders, young people, women and religious leaders were scheduled to participate in an intergenerational dialogue.
The gathering is intended to encourage conversations between older and younger generations about the social, political and economic challenges facing Kenya.
Young participants are expected to use poetry and music to reflect on Raila’s struggles, aspirations and place in the country’s history. A blood donation exercise was also included in the programme as a gesture of service to humanity.
The event provides an opportunity to examine how the experiences of previous generations can inform the aspirations of young Kenyans, particularly on questions of democracy, public participation, peace and national unity.
Day Two: International Candle-Lighting Ceremony
Wednesday, October 14, will feature an international candle-lighting ceremony at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, the Odinga family home and the site of Raila’s burial.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. East Africa Time and will be led by his widow, Ida Odinga.
Kenyans living abroad and other supporters around the world have been invited to light candles at the same time as a symbol of remembrance and solidarity.
The initiative allows people who may be unable to travel to Bondo to participate in the anniversary from their homes, places of worship and diaspora gatherings.
The symbolism is simple but powerful: even when people are separated by distance, they can share a moment of reflection for a person whose public life touched communities across geographical and political boundaries.
Day Three: Main Memorial Ceremony in Bondo
The main anniversary event will take place on Thursday, October 15, at Migwena Cultural and Sports Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County.
The gathering is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. and is expected to attract members of the Odinga family, political leaders, invited guests, community representatives and members of the public.
Musical performances and tributes are expected to form part of the programme, creating an opportunity for attendees to celebrate Raila’s life while reflecting on his contribution to Kenya’s political and social history.
The choice of Bondo carries particular significance because the area is closely associated with Raila’s family, upbringing and political identity.
For residents of Siaya County and the wider Nyanza region, the anniversary is also an opportunity to reflect on the relationship between the late leader and the communities that supported him throughout his political career.
Raila’s Legacy Beyond Politics
Raila Odinga was one of Kenya’s most prominent political figures, known for his long involvement in the country’s opposition politics and democratic reform movements.
His political journey included periods of detention, electoral contests, negotiations and participation in national government. He served as prime minister under the grand coalition government formed after the disputed 2007 presidential election, following the 2008 power-sharing agreement.
His supporters frequently associated him with the struggle for multiparty democracy, constitutional reform and expanded political participation. His critics, however, often questioned aspects of his political alliances, strategies and decisions.
These differing views are part of the broader discussion surrounding his legacy. His influence cannot be understood solely through the positions he held or the elections he contested; it must also be considered through the political debates and national conversations he helped shape.
The first anniversary therefore provides an opportunity for Kenyans to examine his record, discuss the ideals he promoted and consider how those ideals might influence the country’s future.
For younger generations who did not experience every stage of his political journey, the memorial activities may also serve as a reminder of the country’s struggles for democratic reform and the importance of public participation.
Committee Calls for Peaceful and Dignified Commemorations
The organisers have appealed to participants to maintain peace, dignity and respect throughout the three-day programme.
Given Raila’s national political profile, the gathering is expected to attract people with different political beliefs and interpretations of his legacy. Maintaining a respectful atmosphere will be important to ensuring that the events remain focused on remembrance rather than political confrontation.
The committee has framed the anniversary as a moment for gratitude, reflection and renewed commitment to public service.
Its message also highlights the importance of remembering Raila as a family member, community figure and public servant, rather than viewing his life exclusively through the lens of political competition.
As the main ceremony approaches, the three-day programme offers Kenyans an opportunity to look back on a defining figure in the country’s modern political history and consider the lessons that can be drawn from his life.
Raila Odinga’s first death anniversary is more than a date on the national calendar. It is an occasion for family, supporters and the wider public to reflect on the life of a man whose political career helped shape Kenya’s democratic journey for decades.
From the intergenerational dialogue in Kisumu to the international candle-lighting ceremony and the main gathering in Bondo, the programme brings together different forms of remembrance.
As Kenyans mark October 15, the enduring question is how the values associated with Raila’s public life, including democracy, justice, unity and public participation, will continue to feature in the country’s future.
The anniversary provides an opportunity not only to remember what he represented to millions of people, but also to encourage constructive conversations about the Kenya he spent much of his life seeking to influence.
