ODM Secretary General Honors Late Raila Odinga on His Birthday
Happy birthday, Baba,” referring to the ODM’s commitment to continue building on his legacy and democratic vision.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Photo/Eastleigh Voice.
By Ruth Sang
The Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement today led a heartfelt tribute to the late party leader Raila Odinga on what would have been his birthday, reflecting on his life, his contributions, and the values he stood by.
In the statement, the Secretary General said that nearly three months after Raila was gone, his passing is still a shock to the nation, with his vision and domination across Kenya. “The vacuum left by Baba’s departure is still being felt to this day. Indelible is his large presence in this country, and so the mourning continues.”
He described Raila’s 80 years of living as a life of dedication, bravery, and commitment to freedom, justice, and equality. He went ahead and pronounced Raila as Kenya’s number one soldier for the “second liberation” and emphasized Raila’s proactiveness in ensuring multiparty democracy and the shaping of the 2010 Constitution, which took devolution a step further and allowed citizen participation in governance.
He went on to state that Raila has died while intolerance, impunity, and threats to multiparty democracy skyrocket as political troubles mount. He affirmed that the very principles Raila fought for—political pluralism, the respect of party identities, and the respect of democratic norms—are vital for safeguarding the future of Kenya.
“As the father of multipartyism and the new Constitution, Baba’s vision sought to decentralize power and ensure equitable distribution of national resources. His efforts aimed at empowering citizens and curbing overreach by central authorities,” reads the statement.
He called on Raila’s followers, mentees, and political allies to defend his tenets and to champion a political renaissance that adheres to the people’s sovereignty as delineated by the Constitution’s preamble, which honors diversity and promotes rights, equality, social justice, democracy, and rule of law.
Speaking of Raila’s personal integrity, he said, “Baba always sided with the marginalized, spoke truth to power, and put the nation above self. When it was easier to compromise, he stayed put in his conviction; when silence was safer, he chose defiance.”
Finally, the Secretary General described Raila’s birthday as an occasion for memory and recommitment to his values. “This day reminds us of the enormous impact he had on our lives and the nation. Happy birthday, Baba,” referring to the ODM’s commitment to continue building on his legacy and democratic vision.
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