Our Invitations Were Not Summons - Ida Odinga after Several Skipped Raila's Memorial

Mama Ida Odinga has broken her silence amid political undercurrents that emanated from the first memorial of the late Raila Odinga.

The Odinga family gathered at Migwena Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County Thursday, October 15, joined by political leaders and supporters to honour the former prime minister.

However, most of Raila's known loyalists were no-shows in the event. Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga, Kisumu governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko, and Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir.

Cabinet Secretaries Hassan Joho (Mining), John Mbadi (National Treasury), and Wycliffe Oparanya (Co-operatives) were also absent.

The group, loyal to President William Ruto’s broad-based government, was represented at the event by Kisii governor Simba Arati, who is also the ODM deputy leader, and Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi.

The majority of the guests were opposition and Linda Mwananchi-aligned politicians. 

Speaking a day after the event, Junet said he wasn't present deliberately after learning about the list of guests, particularly DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua.

Junet argued that Gachagua never shared in the same ideologies with Raila, and hence he would not wish to be part of the audience him or his allies are present in.

But in an apparent response, Ida said the invitations were not summonses, suggesting that anyone invited was at liberty to honour their invitation or otherwise.

“An invitation to a family commemoration is an expression of fellowship, not a summons. Neither attendance nor absence should be interpreted as a disagreement with our family,” she said.

She went ahead to thank Kenyans, organisers and President William Ruto, particularly for supporting the construction and completion of Raila’s mausoleum.

Ida also addressed the disruption that marred the event, expressing regret over booing, shouting, and intimidation of some guests.

"Reports that individuals may have been paid and transported to the gathering for the purpose of heckling, intimidating, or disrupting invited guests are deeply disturbing,” she said.

She said she was particularly disappointed by sections of the political class.

Every guest invited was welcome, she added, and the family had no quarrel with any of them.

Political leaders, she said, have a special responsibility to exercise restraint and ensure their supporters respect others’ dignity.

“To every guest who was subjected to such treatment, I offer, on behalf of the Odinga family, our sincere and unreserved apologies,” she said.

She recalled more than fifty years of marriage to a man who valued dialogue and reconciliation despite deep disagreements. 

Ida appealed to political leaders and their supporters to respect the family, its guests, and the sanctity of Raila’s resting place.

“His resting place must never become a battleground for political rivalries. Neither should our family’s grief be turned into an occasion for settling political scores,” she said.