Mama Ida Mourns With Country After Raila’s Death

Mama Ida Odinga has broken her silence hours after the death of her husband, the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. 

In her first public address, she apologised for the mayhem that was witnessed at Raila’s Karen home. 

“I am very sorry to all Kenyans; we did not expect it would be like this, but it has happened. Please remain calm,” she said. 

Raila’s passing on Wednesday, October 15, caused shockwaves across the country, with his staunch supporters and leaders, including President William Ruto, going to his Karen home moments after news of his passing broke. 

In the late Raila’s Karen home, the former Prime Minister’s wife Ida, and the rest of the family appeared seemingly overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of people who came to pass their condolences, and at some point, it proved impossible to contain them. 

Samrack Media has since learnt that a considerable number of leaders allied to Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) were present in Karen, including Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga and Nairobi woman Representative Esther Passaris. 

Wanga, who serves as ODM’s national chairperson, was expected to make an address at around 1pm, but the presser was pushed back due to some mild chaos experienced at Raila’s home. 

Mama Ida attempted to take over matters, but mourners on site also overwhelmed media, forcing the late former Prime Minister’s spouse to issue her apologies. 

At some point at the Karen home, anti-Ruto chants dominated the residence as a section of mourners attempted to make their feelings known, presumably to send a message to the President. It remains unclear whether Ruto was still at the residence at the time the chaos erupted. 

Raila passed away on the morning of Wednesday, October 15, after suffering a cardiac arrest during a morning walk in India.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at around 9:52am Indian time, according to a spokesperson for the hospital.

Meanwhile, Ruto is expected to address the nation on Raila’s death this afternoon.