Jakakimba’s Tribute To Raila: ‘Baba, Your Legacy Powers On As Kenya Strives For Better’

 

I stood in Kisumu today and observed a city united in spirit. Twigs—our Luo emblem of mourning—rose like a low forest above the gathering. From the terraces, the chant of “Baba! Baba!” surged and echoed, a powerful sound that conveyed what speeches could not. In that silence devoid of podiums, I was reminded once more why Raila Amollo Odinga was not just a politician to millions of Kenyans; he was a guiding star for what a more equitable nation could resemble. Raila educated an entire generation that democracy is not merely an event but a continuous practice. He accepted defeats without resentment and victories without arrogance, reminding us that the ultimate goal is to build institutions, not to create personality cults. Those of us who accompanied him during the years of the second liberation understand how demanding that discipline can be: imprisonment, exile, legal struggles, damage to reputation, and the unending exhaustion of organizing in a nation where power frequently resists accountability. Yet, he never abandoned the conviction that Kenya could improve if Kenyans themselves aspired for better. This is why the occurrences of these days embody both sorrow and lessons. The throngs that filled the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo gathered not for entertainment but to express gratitude—to witness a life that insisted the rule of law must be experienced by the underprivileged, that devolution is not merely a catchphrase, and that the national resources are meant to be shared, not hoarded. They came to pay tribute to a leader who made them feel acknowledged. It was appropriate that no speeches were made in Kisumu. The city is familiar with his narrative; the nation has internalized his struggles. Instead, we allowed the ritual of farewell to fulfill its purpose. From the airport to the stadium, and later by road to his Bondo residence for an overnight stay prior to Sunday’s State burial, the journey itself conveyed the message: this is a leader returning to Dala—home—not only to be mourned but to be entrusted to history.