Parklands Highridge ward representative Jayendra Malde has hinted at a petition to President William Ruto and Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja to have a standing sculpture in honour of deceased ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Raila was laid to rest on October 19, four days after his passing in India.
His death thrust the country onto a sombre mood, with President William Ruto proclaiming a seven-day period of national mourning.
Owing to his statesmanship and stature as a social justice champion, Raila ought to be reborn in the form of a statue to signify the continuity of his legacy, according to Malde.
The member of the Nairobi County Assembly revealed he plans to address a formal request to President Ruto and Sakaja to allow his constituents, mainly of Indian descent, to proceed with their plan to honour Raila with the structure.
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They seek to have it at the heart of the Nairobi city centre.
"We, as the Indian community, are ready to build Baba a big statue in the CBD in his memory, provided the governor approves. Tomorrow we will send a formal letter to H.E William Ruto and H.E Sakaja to give us a site in CBD for Baba's statue," Malde said.
The politician recognised Raila for being at the forefront and committing himself to fighting for the well-being of all, regardless of their origins.
On a personal note, Malde attributed his political success to Raila's guidance and mentorship.
"Through Baba’s mentorship, I gained political wisdom and a deeper understanding of leadership rooted in service, sacrifice, and sincerity. His guidance helped me grow and deliver better for the people of Parklands/Highridge Ward," he said.
Raila succumbed to heart-related complications at the Devamatha Hospital in Southern India on October 15.
He collapsed during his morning walk, prompting his rushed admission to the hospital.
The attending medics, while giving their account, explained that Raila had lost his heartbeat at the time of his admission.
He was immediately confined to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where the medics embarked on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) measures to rescue him.
It was, however, too late, as he died as the doctors struggled to resuscitate him.
The doctors at Devamatha observed that until his admission at their facility, Raila had underlying medical issues that compounded his health crisis.
They noted that Raila had chronic kidney problems and was also diabetic.
His body was repatriated to Kenya by a high-level delegation stewarded by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, which was dispatched to India by the president.
In honour of Raila, Ruto accorded him a state funeral with full military honours.
