Nyali: Barely a week after the burial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, hundreds of his supporters in Nyali gathered for a special prayer and thanksgiving ceremony to pay homage and celebrate the life of the departed statesman. Supporters, drawn from Kongowea, Mkomani, Kadzandani, Freretown, and Ziwa la Ng'ombe wards, convened in Maweni to pay tribute to Raila Odinga.
According to Kenya News Agency, Said Abdalla, alias Saido, a long-time Raila Odinga ally, disclosed how Raila's supporters who were unable to attend the burial in Bondo approached him to help organize the prayers and luncheon. Saido thanked Nyali residents for their unwavering loyalty and affection for Raila, even in death, and urged them to live harmoniously while upholding the peace and unity that the late leader championed throughout his life.
Dennis Aduda, a resident of Mkomani, expressed that the late Prime Minister's death has left a gap that will remain unbridged for years to come, just as the untimely death has left his supporters with a big void. "He has left us at a time that we needed him most as our father. He has been with us all along. He has been directing us towards unity, love and agitation for democracy," he stated, adding that Raila was a statesman who prioritized the nation over egocentric self-aggrandizement interests.
Aduda further noted that Nyali has not only lost a national icon but also one of its own, as the late Prime Minister maintained a home in the upmarket Nyali suburb. Agneta James said they have dedicated the prayers to the former ODM leader following his demise in India in accordance with Luo tradition.
"We decided to conduct the prayers today because, according to our Luo customs, the mourning period is four days, and today is a weekend when most people are at home. Some of us got the chance to travel to Bondo, but some didn't travel and held the prayers in his honour," stated James. The death, she noted, not only touches the Jaramogi family but the entire country, and hence the prayers are a show of solidarity with the late Raila's kith and kin.
"He has always championed the rights of women. He supported and gave us the opportunity as women to exercise our civic rights through the 2010 constitution of Kenya. He stood for women's rights. If you look at women leaders in the August House, most of them have been mentored by Baba," stated James.
Francis Mwanzia, a resident of Kongowea, commended President Ruto for supporting Raila Odinga's family and for honouring the late former prime minister with a befitting state funeral. "As we mourn, we remind ourselves that our leader may be gone, but he lives on in our hearts," he said, also lauding Said Abdalla for sponsoring more than 100 residents to attend the funeral in Bondo, Siaya County last Sunday.
Fatma Mapapa, a resident of Freretown, said Abdalla is following in Baba's footsteps by uniting Nyali residents. "No sitting MP has sponsored their constituents to attend the funeral in Bondo. Most of them rode on Baba's popularity and backing to clinch their seats; it was only Said Abdalla who funded us to attend the funeral," she said.
Mwinyikombo Menza urged ODM members to unite and strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 polls to honour Raila Odinga.