On January 7th Kenya marked what would have been the 81st birthday of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga the country’s most enduring symbol of democratic struggle with tributes pouring in from across the political divide. It was the first birthday commemorated after his passing on October 15, 2025, following a cardiac arrest while receiving treatment in Kerala, India.
As supporters across the country shared memories under the hashtag #Baba80plus1, Raila’s widow Mama Ida Odinga hosted a commemorative event in Nairobi one that was as political as it was emotional. Her core message was simple yet profound:
“Sit down and talk.”
A call directed squarely at ODM leaders now grappling with succession, legitimacy battles, and internal mistrust following Odinga’s death.
Angle One: ‘Sit Down and Talk’ — Mama Ida’s Emotional Plea to ODM Leaders
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Raila Odinga’s political vehicle for nearly two decades has struggled to steady itself since his passing. Once glued together by Odinga’s authority, charisma, and moral strength, the party has increasingly shown signs of fracture.
Mama Ida, standing in both grief and guardianship of Raila’s legacy, chose unity as her message:
“Let us support the problems of the party by always asking ourselves: what would Baba do under these circumstances? Your guess is as good as mine I am sure Baba would tell us, let us sit down and talk.”
Her words appeared carefully weighed but unmistakably directed at ODM leaders such as Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, whose political chemistry has not always been smooth in the months following Baba’s death.
Preserving Baba’s Political Home
Ida spoke with both gratitude and warning.
She thanked President William Ruto and the government for honoring Raila with a full state funeral and support during the mourning period a historic show of bipartisan respect for Odinga’s legacy.
But when she turned to ODM, she spoke like a guardian of history:
“Baba ran ODM with dedication, with firm and fair hands… always consulting the people. It is my wish that we preserve the party in his honour.”
ODM must survive. The dream cannot be buried with Raila.
Sifuna Responds — With Loyalty and Vulnerability
ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna spoke with rare emotional openness.
He admitted the party was feeling “orphaned”:
“It has been quite strange trying to find our footing without him. Baba used to be like the Supreme Court, now the Supreme Court is gone.” And he gave a pledge:
“It will not be me who wrecks Mzee’s party. Regardless of how badly anyone has insulted me I am ready to extend an olive branch.”
His words captured a truth many ODM insiders privately acknowledge:
Raila was the referee.
Without him, disagreements cut deeper.
ODM at a Crossroads
Mama Ida’s plea now defines the moment:
Dialogue or division
Unity or personality battles
Institutional strength or legacy politics
Her call “sit down and talk” is a reminder that ODM was built not only on political interests, but on a shared belief in reform, inclusion, and dialogue.
The coming months will test whether that foundation still holds.