Siaya Governor James Orengo has called on Kenyans to remain peaceful during Thursday's commemoration of the first anniversary of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's death, according to The Star, Kenya. Speaking at a press briefing in Siaya, Orengo said the October 15 event will draw mourners and dignitaries from Kenya and beyond, and he asked residents of Siaya and Bondo, Raila's ancestral home, to attend in large numbers.
He described the occasion as one for mourning rather than routine political activity. "This will not be a day of ordinary politics. It is a day to mourn a hero, an enigma, in his full honour and splendour," Orengo said, as reported by The Star, Kenya.
Why it matters
Raila Odinga was one of Kenya's most consequential political figures, and the anniversary falls at a charged moment in the country's political calendar. Orengo framed the commemoration as a chance to reflect on Raila's record rather than to open new political fights, noting that the family has said everyone is welcome regardless of party affiliation.
The event also carries weight for Siaya and Bondo, the region Raila represented and where his family's political history is rooted. Orengo said he expects the anniversary to be held annually, in the same way that commemorations honouring Raila's father, founding Vice-President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, have continued over the years.
A programme built around legacy, not campaigns
Orengo listed the restoration of multiparty democracy, the push for a new Constitution and the creation of devolution as central parts of Raila's contribution to Kenya. He said Raila's willingness to accept personal cost, including nine years in detention, showed how deeply he was committed to the country's democratic struggle.
"He brought us multiparty democracy and worked tirelessly for us to have a new Constitution and devolution. Even those who disagreed with him in his quest for a new Constitution are now operating under that Constitution," Orengo said, according to The Star, Kenya.
The governor asked those attending to respect the solemn character of the day and suggested that political arguments unrelated to Raila's life and legacy could be taken up at another time. He said the family had made clear that participation was open to all, whatever their political ties.
Orengo also said the guest list would include people who worked with Raila across his political career. "We already have confirmation of many guests who are going to come. In the political space, nearly everybody is going to be here, but this will not be a day for ordinary politics," he said.
He recalled the history attached to Megwena, where he said Jaramogi Oginga Odinga met Raila's mother. Orengo said the place holds special meaning for the Odinga family, and he remembered a visit during a sports festival when Jaramogi described how he had been drawn to Raila's mother because of her athletic ability.
Orengo repeated his invitation to Kenyans and to visitors from other countries, saying the day would give them a chance to consider Raila's role in the country's history. "I want to assure people in Kenya and across the world, and particularly here in Siaya and Bondo, that everybody is welcome to come and remember Raila on October 15," he said.
County readies venue, security and health measures
Siaya County Secretary Elizabeth Adongo said the county government had been given responsibility for preparing the venue, coordinating emergency and security operations with national government agencies, and making sure water and sanitation services are adequate.
She said county departments have been working with the local community and other agencies to keep the event running smoothly. A security assessment has already been carried out, according to Adongo, and arrangements are in place to handle crowds and provide the security the occasion requires.
On public health, Adongo said the county is working with the national government on appropriate measures, including protocols related to Ebola. She thanked residents for backing the preparations and said the county is ready to receive visitors.
The anniversary comes after the unveiling of Raila's mausoleum at Kang'o ka Jaramogi in Bondo last week, an event presided over by President William Ruto. Orengo said the unveiling showed that Raila's legacy reaches beyond his home county and beyond Kenya, and he described the anniversary as a global occasion.
Coverage of the memorial has not been uniform. The Standard reported that the events have taken on the character of a campaign for Ruto's reelection, while Daily Nation reported a dilemma over the role former President Uhuru Kenyatta would play in the memorial. People Daily, meanwhile, examined why Raila's mausoleum was built in a pentagon shape while Jaramogi's is a hexagon. Those reports sit alongside The Star, Kenya's account of Orengo's appeal and the county's preparations.
What happens next will be watched closely: whether the October 15 programme stays within the solemn frame Orengo has set, and how the mix of local mourners and national figures in Bondo shapes the political mood in the weeks that follow.
