An emotional moment unfolded on Saturday afternoon as Mama Ida Odinga returned to her Opoda Farm home in Bondo for the first time since the passing of her husband, the late Raila Amolo Odinga. The air was heavy with emotion as family, close friends, and villagers gathered quietly to welcome her back home.
Dressed in a simple black outfit and headscarf, Mama Ida appeared deeply moved as she stepped out of her car and took a long, silent look at the compound that once echoed with her husband’s laughter and presence. The sight of her walking into their home without Raila brought many to tears.
Residents who had lined the driveway waved Kenyan flags and sang softly in her honor. Some could be seen wiping away tears as they whispered words of comfort. As she made her way into the house, she paused briefly at the entrance, holding onto one of her relatives for support, clearly struggling to hold back emotions.
According to family members, Mama Ida’s return to Opoda marks an important moment ahead of Raila’s final journey home, where thousands of mourners are expected to gather in the coming days for his burial.
In a brief address to those who had assembled, Mama Ida expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of love and solidarity shown to her family since Raila’s death. “You have walked with us during this painful time. May God bless each one of you,” she said softly.
As evening fell over Opoda, the compound remained quiet, the sound of distant songs filling the air. For many, Mama Ida’s return was both heartbreaking and symbolic — a reminder of love, loss, and resilience in the face of sorrow, and a step toward saying a final goodbye to Kenya’s iconic leader.
By Nairobi