Ugandan legislators have paid glowing tribute to the late former Kenyan Prime Minister, Raila Amollo Odinga, celebrating his enduring legacy as a Pan-Africanist, democrat, and unifying statesman revered across the continent and beyond.
Odinga, 80, passed away in India on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, reportedly from cardiac arrest. He was laid to rest on Sunday, 19 October 2025, at his ancestral home in Bondo, Western Kenya.
During a plenary sitting on Monday, 20 October 2025, Members of Parliament described Odinga as a political icon whose influence shaped Kenya’s democracy and advanced Africa’s integration agenda.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa hailed Odinga as “a true statesman and Pan-Africanist, a good friend of Uganda and the region,” adding that “his contribution to democracy across Africa will be greatly missed.”
Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi called Odinga “a political giant who fought tirelessly for his country’s democracy,” noting that while he never became president, “his contribution to Kenya’s democratic journey remains indelible.”
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Nobert Mao commended Odinga for promoting regional unity through the East African Community (EAC) and for his active role in initiatives such as the Great Lakes Parliamentary Forum on Peace and the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank.
Tororo District Woman MP Sarah Opendi described Odinga as a pillar of Kenyan politics whose counsel was sought by every president. “No president ruled Kenya without engaging Odinga, that’s why he was fondly called Baba. His wisdom and advocacy for infrastructure development, including the Standard Gauge Railway, will be remembered,” she said.
Raila Odinga’s political career spanned over four decades, during which he served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 and built alliances across Kenya’s political divide, including with former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018 and President William Ruto in 2024. His life’s work remains a testament to the power of perseverance, unity, and Pan-African vision.
