By Staff Writer | Wajir Today | Thursday, 16 October 2025

Wajir leaders have joined the nation in mourning the passing of Kenya’s former Prime Minister and long-serving opposition leader Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, hailing him as a fearless reformer, visionary statesman, and the father of Kenya’s democracy.

Odinga, who died in India at the age of 80, leaves behind a towering legacy that continues to shape Kenya’s political evolution, devolution, and the fight for equality. From the nation’s capital to the country’s most remote counties, his death has triggered an outpouring of tributes from across the political divide.

Wajir Governor  Ahmed Abdullahi, E.G.H, led county leaders in expressing condolences to the Odinga family, the ODM fraternity, and all Kenyans. “On behalf of the people and the County of Wajir, I extend my deepest condolences to my fellow Kenyans, to Mama Ida Odinga and the entire Odinga family, to the ODM fraternity, and to His Excellency President William Samoei Ruto, as our nation mourns this monumental loss,” he said.

Governor Ahmed, who described Odinga as a father figure and a statesman of conviction, said his story was not merely one of politics but of purpose. “He did not just walk the corridors of power; he walked the paths of the people, carrying their hopes, their struggles, and their dreams,” he said, adding that Odinga’s vision for devolution continues to uplift regions once left behind.

The Governor praised the late leader’s tireless fight for equality, recalling how Wajir consistently supported Odinga’s reformist vision. “Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga will forever be remembered as the father of Kenya’s democracy, the architect of devolution, and the voice of the marginalised. May his legacy remind us that true leadership begins and ends in service,” he said.

Eldas MP Adan Keynan Wehliye described Odinga as one of Africa’s greatest reformers and a titan of democracy. “His demise casts a deep shadow over our nation and the continent, marking the end of an era and the departure of a true patriot whose courage, vision, and sacrifice shaped the very soul of Kenya’s democracy,” Keynan said. He lauded Odinga’s pivotal role in constitutional reforms and his enduring commitment to expanding Kenya’s democratic space.

Wajir East MP  Aden Daud Mohamed said Odinga’s passing marked the loss of a man who carried the weight of the nation’s struggle for multiparty democracy and justice. “His fearless fight gave us the 2010 Constitution, whose promise of devolution transformed once-forgotten regions like Wajir into centres of hope and opportunity,” he stated.

Tarbaj MP Hon. Hussein Abdi Barre mourned the late Prime Minister as a reformist whose ideals will continue to guide future generations. “He was a towering figure in our nation’s political life—a voice for reform, a champion of democracy, and a steadfast leader to many. His legacy will endure in the countless lives he touched and the ideals he stood for: justice, equality, and the pursuit of a better Kenya,” said Barre.

Wajir County Woman Representative Fatuma Abdi Jehow paid tribute to Odinga’s role in advancing women’s empowerment, youth inclusion, and the rights of persons with special needs. “Baba’s legacy transcends politics. He believed in the empowerment of women, of youth, and of persons with special needs, ensuring that equality was not merely spoken of, but actively pursued,” she said.

Jehow noted that Odinga’s advocacy for land justice and the liberation of marginalised communities left an indelible mark on Kenya’s social landscape. “He was a voice for the voiceless, a defender of the marginalised, and a champion of development for every corner of this nation, especially for regions long overlooked, including our beloved North Eastern Kenya,” she added.

The Woman Representative recalled that Odinga’s dream of an inclusive Kenya resonated personally with pastoralist communities. “He spoke for the pastoralist and the farmer alike, for Turkana, Marsabit, Garissa, and Wajir, ensuring that every Kenyan, regardless of geography or gender, was seen and heard,” she said, sending condolences to Mama Ida Odinga and the Odinga family.

As Kenya reflects on the life and impact of Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, Wajir leaders say his vision will continue to guide the nation’s democratic journey.