JOWI! (A Luo word that means buffalo, an animal symbolizing strength, courage, and fearlessness. The chant is used at funerals for people considered “giants” or “greats” to declare that the person was no ordinary soul.
I met Baba (Rt. Honorable Raila Amolo Odinga) physically for the first time during the inaugural National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Sports for Peace football tournament between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards on 17th December 2011 at the Nyayo National Stadium. He had come to watch the match, as was his usual. The peace match aimed to create a conducive environment for peace to reign in Kenya through football, among others.
For the first time in Kenyan football’s history, the country’s two strongest clubs played before a peaceful crowd. During halftime, I took tea and mandazi with Baba and the then American Ambassador. He called me immediately after the match and said, “You’re doing a good thing, ensure it goes to the Counties.” That he took his time to appreciate and participate in peacebuilding activities said a lot about his love and intention for a peaceful Kenya.
My second interaction with RAO was on 22nd March 2012, when he graced the launch of an NCIC-led advocacy campaign for peaceful general elections dubbed “Kenya Kwanza” at the KICC. He donned the Kenya Kwanza t-shirt and cap and signed a peace and political decency charter, to renounce election-related violence as a Presidential candidate. He also attended the NCIC presidential debate at to highlight his ideologies and manifesto. That showed that he believed in the politics of ideology.
Something many may not know about Raila is that he is a descendant of the Nabongo Mumia Kingdom, through the Jaka Sakwa clan. He is the 13th grandson of Wanga. His name is written at Siembekho, the Nabongo Mumia Mausoleum in Matungu Constituency, in Mumias, Kakamega County. He was a lover and respecter of the rich African culture.
Raila, fondly referred to as the father of democracy, defended the Constitution of Kenya 2010, human rights, development and devolution at all costs. He advocated for resources to move from the national government to the Counties. He allowed the rule of law to take its course when he was politically aggrieved.
He accepted the court’s final verdict, which most of his cronies and supporters did not take lightly. He had to make hard political decisions for the sake of the country. When Kenya was on the verge of political breakdown during election cycles, he put aside his political ambitions and put the country first. He was a true statesman, a true patriot, who took every fall with grace and rose again to fight for his ideologies and for Kenya.
Raila went through the whole cycle of Peacebuilding, Reconciliation, and conflict resolution. He forgave. He reconciliated. He tolerated. He loved. That is why he was able to easily relate with people from all walks of life, from all political divides, the young and old. His politics was that of ideologies, not ethnicity.
Raila was one of the most influential and enduring political figures and a champion of democracy, not only in Kenya, but also on the African continent and the world. He relentlessly contested for the presidency five times and the African Union Chairperson in 2024. He was the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure development. His death at the age of 80 marks the end of an era for a leader whose agitation for multi-party democracy and the constitution played a huge role in shaping the Kenya we have today and the freedom of speech we currently enjoy.
Raila Amolo Odinga contributed to the quest for good governance, social and political decency and accountability in Kenya. We must learn from and emulate Baba, to put country before self, for sustainable peace in Kenya. In memory of Baba, we must put our differences aside and forge forward. We can differ politically, ideologically, but always remember that We Are One, that Kenya is bigger than all of us. The quest for a peaceful Kenya that Baba so dearly held and fought for, must continue.
The conclave talks that he intended to hold to unite Kenya must continue. The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), in partnership with the National broadcaster KBC and development partners are currently holding county-level Transgenerational Conversations to give a platform to the youth, leadership and all generations to have structured talks on peaceful coexistence, for their voices to be heard.
When a big tree falls, the birds scatter, but it can unite the troops. With this huge loss, and in his memory and honor, the next Raila Odinga’s should stand up to be counted for Kenya. He played his part for a peaceful and democratic Kenya, what about us?
He didn’t really care which side of the divide one came from, he was a global citizen, a people’s leader. He fought for the rule of law, for democracy, for devolution, for human rights and for peaceful coexistence. He has been on the streets many a time agitating for change, but always ended up with a clarion call for peace. The level of forgiveness Baba had was outstanding!
Sincere condolences to Mama Ida, my namesake Rosemary, Winnie and Raila Junior. Rest in Peace Tinga. Nyundo. Agwambo. Jakom. Baba. The Father of Democracy. Rt. Honorable Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, Raila Amolo Odinga, EGH.
The Enigma has fallen, Kenya must rise in his memory and honor! JOWI!
Rosemary Were Saka is a Principal Corporate Communications Officer at the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), and a News Anchor at KBC.
