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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During a plenary sitting on Monday, 20 October 2025, Members of Parliament described Odinga as a political icon whose influence shaped Kenya\u2019s democracy and advanced Africa\u2019s integration agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa hailed Odinga as \u201ca true statesman and Pan-Africanist, a good friend of Uganda and the region,\u201d adding that \u201chis contribution to democracy across Africa will be greatly missed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi called Odinga \u201ca political giant who fought tirelessly for his country\u2019s democracy,\u201d noting that while he never became president, \u201chis contribution to Kenya\u2019s democratic journey remains indelible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tororo District Woman MP Sarah Opendi described Odinga as a pillar of Kenyan politics whose counsel was sought by every president. \u201cNo president ruled Kenya without engaging Odinga, that\u2019s why he was fondly called Baba<\/em>. His wisdom and advocacy for infrastructure development, including the Standard Gauge Railway, will be remembered,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Raila Odinga\u2019s political career spanned over four decades, during which he served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 and built alliances across Kenya\u2019s political divide, including with former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018 and President William Ruto in 2024. His life\u2019s work remains a testament to the power of perseverance, unity, and Pan-African vision.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8864,"featured_media":41008,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_paywall_metabox":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[98],"tags":[31,109,7493,119,235],"class_list":["post-41007","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-featured","tag-news","tag-raila-odinga","tag-uganda-news","tag-uganda-parliament"],"yoast_head":"\n