Kenya Marks What Would Have Been Raila Odinga’s 81st Birthday with Reflections on His Legacy
President William Ruto said, honouring the late leader’s enduring legacy of service, unity, and dedication to the nation.
The Late Honourable Raila Odinga. Photo/KNA
By Ruth Sang
This very day, January 7, is being celebrated by Kenyans as the day that would have seen 81 candles lit, and blows counted by the late Right Honourable Raila Odinga in honour of a revered national figure that will be remembered for a life committed to courage, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to the land he loved.
President William Ruto and all who espouse his thought have stopped to meditate over Raila Odinga’s ever-lasting legacy of being perceived as a true and through patriot who placed national interests over individual self-interest. Throughout his political life, Raila taught that more than individual success, unity and peace in Kenya mattered, a message which will continue to reverberate long after his passing.
Raila Odinga believed deeply that Kenya had the potential and that the future would, indeed, be brighter than the past. Even during the darkest nights of political contention and chaos, he continued to believe in the dialogue, reconciliation, and stability of the country. Each one of his decisions made, whether in times of strenuous political contestation or efforts to steady the people together, mirrored this preference: unity than separation, peace earlier than conflict.
Those who were closest to him maintain that Raila was always encouraging Kenyans to ignore politics and work as one for the good of every Kenyan. Lasting changes could only result when people came together, respected other people’s opinions, and worked toward common national ideals, according to him. This meant a Kenya which would have inclusivity, mutual respect, and collective responsibility.
Raila’s personal sacrifices defined his political journey. His sacrifices included long-year detention, political persecution, trial and tribulations, and countless years in opposition fighting democratic reforms. Yet he remained popularly known, having harvested great hope that Kenya’s democracy, justice, and prosperity could one day come closer to realization.
Remembrance of his birthday is also described by many as a day for honouring Raila but also recommitting to the values for which he stood. Thus, his legacy of putting the country first, fostered unity, and ensured peace will be relevant as Kenya continues to traverse its social, economic, and political challenges.
Indeed, that day which marks the birthday of Raila Odinga is a memorial of the very same tenets that he so dearly stood for, and the teachings which he left behind. Kenyans are being encouraged to keep faith in the Kenyan dream which he believed in most-having grounded and thriving on unity, stability, and shared progress for all.
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