Winnie Odinga Makes First Visit to Raila Odinga’s Gravesite Since 2025 Burial

Winnie Odinga on Saturday, September 12, made an emotional return to Kang’o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County, marking her first visit to her father Raila Odinga’s gravesite since his burial on October 19, 2025.

Her visit comes as construction of the Raila Odinga Mausoleum at the homestead reached 50 percent completion, a milestone in the ongoing effort to honor the late opposition leader’s legacy.

Winnie had previously revealed, in an August 2026 interview, that she had not gathered the strength to return to the gravesite since the funeral. Following the visit, she shared a reflective message on Facebook, writing:
“Took me a while to get here. My first time visiting Dad’s grave. I thought I was coming to check on the construction. Turns out some things are still under construction in all of us. Pole pole. We keep building. We keep going.”

During the earlier interview, Winnie also disclosed that a committee has been formed to organize a one-year memorial event for Raila. She said the commemoration would blend traditional and religious rites but would be centered on celebrating his life rather than mourning.

“We’ve just set up a committee for the memorial… of course there are traditional and religious rites of ceremony a year after that we’ll go through, but really we want it to be a celebration of the life,” she said.

She added that Raila’s preference for dignified, non-somber funeral occasions was clearly expressed in his will, which directed that he be buried within 72 hours of his passing.

Raila died in India at the age of 80. His death led to several days of national mourning, followed by a state funeral attended by President William Ruto and thousands of Kenyans.

He was buried at Kang’o ka Jaramogi on October 19, 2025