Ruto, Mourners Pay Tribute to Raila Through Emotional Performance of ‘Jamaica Farewell’

 


A poignant and heartfelt moment transpired at the Nyayo National Stadium on Friday as President William Ruto led a multitude of mourners in a rendition of “Jamaica Farewell,” the beloved song of the late Raila Odinga, performed by the iconic American artist Harry Belafonte.

  As the gentle, nostalgic tune resonated throughout the venue, the audience — comprising foreign dignitaries, regional leaders, and citizens from all corners of the nation — united with the President in song, their voices harmonizing in honor of a man whose life and struggles shaped Kenya’s democratic path. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp “Dear mourners, one of the late Honourable Raila Odinga’s cherished songs was ‘Jamaica Farewell’ by Harry Belafonte — a tune filled with yearning and soft sorrow. He frequently danced and sang along with a broad smile,” President Ruto remarked, pausing as the familiar melody began to play. Clearly moved, the President sang the initial lines of the song alongside the assembled crowd, eliciting applause and emotional responses from the audience. As the song continued, mourners — including Mama Ida Odinga, the Odinga family, visiting heads of state, and Kenyan leaders from various political backgrounds — stood in solemn contemplation. When the chorus, “Down the way where the nights are gay, and the sun shines daily on the mountain top…” reverberated through the stadium, many waved Kenyan flags while others clasped hands, some visibly touched by emotion as they sang along to the hauntingly beautiful lyrics. Ruto expressed that the song’s themes of farewell and homecoming resonated profoundly with Raila’s life and legacy, portraying him as a man who had “sailed many seas for the sake of his country.” “Today, those words carry significant meaning. Our elder statesman, the Honourable Raila, is sailing not to Jamaica, but to a home beyond. He will not return to us for many days,” Ruto stated.

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