Mama Ida Odinga Reveals Raila’s Request to Their Children Days Before His Death: “I Was Left Behind”

Ida Odinga has spoken publicly for the first time about the circumstances surrounding her husband Raila Odinga's death, sharing details of his final days on Wednesday, October 14, on the eve of the first anniversary of his passing.

Mama Ida Odinga opens up about Raila Odinga’s final days in India. Photo: Citizen TV/Raila Odinga. Source: FacebookThe former prime minister had travelled to India for what his widow described as a routine medical check-up rather than an emergency visit. Ida said the nature of the trip was not alarming enough for her to accompany him.

Ida Odinga Speaks Out a Year after Raila’s Death: “I Keep Hoping He Will Come Back”

Doctors examined Raila over four days and discharged him in good health. Rather than heading straight back to Nairobi, he chose to spend time in Kerala, a destination he associated with rest and recuperation.

Around that same time, Raila extended an invitation to his family to join him in Dubai for a holiday. His son Jun and Junior's family had already made their way to Dubai, while his daughter Rosemary was preparing to travel there with her own family.

Ida was the only family member who did not make the trip, having stayed in Nairobi to attend to pressing obligations she could not set aside.

Ida Odinga shares why she didn’t accompany Raila on his India medical trip

Her account paints a picture of a family looking forward to a reunion, gathered around a man who had just been declared well and was planning a leisurely break with those closest to him.

Lynn-Linzer Kibebe (Human interest editor) Lynn-Linzer Kibebe is a versatile and resolute digital journalist with more than six years of experience in media. She currently works as a human interest editor at TUKO.co.ke, where she focuses on feel-good stories and day-to-day pieces that touch on the human aspect of life driving societal change. She can be reached via email address lynn-linzer.kibebe@tuko.co.ke