Siaya Governor James Orengo and Mama Ida Odinga have urged Kenyans and international guests to attend the first anniversary of the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Migwena on Thursday, 15 October 2026.
The leaders said the commemoration would celebrate Odinga’s contribution to Kenya’s political development and provide an opportunity for people across political, religious and ethnic divides to honour his legacy.
Speaking at Migwena, a site with historical significance for the Odinga family, Orengo described the anniversary as a global event that would bring together friends, political colleagues and other dignitaries who worked with the late opposition leader.
“It’s not a village affair. It’s not a county affair. It’s not a national event. It’s a global event,” he said.
Orengo said the family had received confirmation from several guests, including people from across Africa and other parts of the world.
He said the anniversary was expected to become an annual event, following the example of commemorations held in honour of Odinga’s father, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Orengo urged residents of Siaya and Bondo, as well as visitors from across Kenya and abroad, to attend peacefully and honour the former prime minister’s legacy.
He called on attendees to maintain peace and ensure the occasion remained focused on remembering Odinga rather than advancing political interests.
“That is a day to mourn our hero, the enigma, in his full honour and splendour for the work he did for Kenya,” he said.
The governor said Odinga had made significant contributions to the introduction of multiparty democracy and the adoption of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.
He also recalled the nine years the former prime minister spent in detention, describing his sacrifices as evidence of his commitment to the country.
Orengo said he was coordinating with the Odinga family, the national government and other leaders to prepare for the commemoration.
The programme is expected to include prayers and speeches, with further details to be released after consultations.
He also called on the government to prevent political violence, alleging that state-linked actors were responsible for sponsoring goons.
“The biggest sponsor of goons in the country is the state, the national government, and persons and agencies working with the national government,” he said.
Orengo urged those responsible to keep political gangs away from the event, saying violence would undermine the occasion’s significance.
Ida calls for unity
Mama Ida Odinga said the commemoration was open to everyone, regardless of political affiliation, and urged Kenyans to reflect on her husband’s commitment to peace and unity.
She noted that Odinga had belonged to several political parties during his career and had maintained relationships with people across the political divide.
“Baba belongs to many people, belongs to many denominations, belongs to people, many parties,” she said.
Ida said visitors were expected from different parts of Kenya, other African countries and overseas, including the United Kingdom and the United States.
She appealed to Kenyans to give the visitors a positive impression of the values Odinga represented.
“Baba stood for peace, Baba stood for unity,” she said, urging attendees to set aside political differences during the commemoration.
Ida also recalled the difficulties the family faced following her husband’s death in India, particularly his wish to be buried within 72 hours.
She said the anniversary would give people who could not attend the funeral an opportunity to gather and remember him.
Those unable to travel to Migwena were encouraged to commemorate his life in their homes and communities.
County prepares for crowds
Acting Siaya County Secretary Elizabeth Adongo said the county government was preparing the venue and coordinating emergency services, security, water and sanitation arrangements with national government agencies.
She said a security assessment had been conducted ahead of the event, with measures being put in place to manage crowds and maintain order.
The county was preparing for a turnout of up to 20,000 people, she said, adding that public health arrangements were also being coordinated with the relevant national agencies.
“We want to thank the community that they’ve been very supportive. We also want to thank the different departments that have been on board,” Adongo said.
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