Ruto Dedicates Mashujaa Day to Raila, Celebrates Him as a National Icon
He cited Raila’s readiness to work with political adversaries, including himself, as proof of his commitment to togetherness as opposed to fragmentation.
Ruto clarified that the day fell when Kenya was mourning, having had a week of emotional mourning following Raila's passing. Photo/ Courtesy
By Juliet Jerotich
President William Ruto on Monday instructed Kenyans to commemorate this year’s Mashujaa Day with a moving tribute to the late ex-Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, referring to him as “a towering statesman, an indomitable spirit, and a true hero of the Republic.”.
Addressing the country at the Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County, President Ruto announced that the 2025 Mashujaa Day ceremony would be a honorific celebration of Raila Odinga, who was laid to rest yesterday in Bondo. He commended Raila’s unmatchable contributions towards Kenya’s democracy, his unflinching patriotism, and the sacrifices he made for the freedom and unity of the nation.
This is the man, the legend, the Pan-Africanist we are honoring this Mashujaa Day,” stated the President before he led the nation in a moment of silence in honor of Raila.
Ruto clarified that the day fell when Kenya was mourning, having had a week of emotional mourning following Raila’s passing. He supplemented that it was right and reflective of the country’s gratitude for his work in life for Kenya.
President Uhuru underscored Raila’s life was one of genuine heroism, courage, and devotion to the well-being of the country. He went on to list five major lessons that Kenyans should learn from Raila’s legacy — beginning with the fact that personal ambition should never be placed above national harmony or peace.
“Baba always reminded us that no division is greater than unity, no motivation greater than peace, and no personal interest greater than the good of Kenya,” Ruto said.
He cited Raila’s readiness to work with political adversaries, including himself, as proof of his commitment to togetherness as opposed to fragmentation. Citing earlier coalitions, Ruto described how Raila had once before in the year called upon the Cabinet to guard national harmony, reminding that peace was necessary because even the best dreams would be dreams unfulfilled.
Ruto also lauded Raila’s unwavering love for Kenya, noting that even while imprisoned, defeated in politics, and persecuted, his faith in the country did not waver. “He once told me if he died and God asked him where he’d want to be born again, he would say, ‘Take me back to Kenya.’ That was the level of his patriotism,” Ruto said.
The President also referred back to Raila’s historical “Kibaki Tosha” speech in 2002, terming it an action that cut across regional and tribal lines. It was his vision for a united nation bound together by principles, not divisions, he said.
He cautioned that an acceptance of sectarianism or hate politics would be a betrayal of Raila’s legacy. “It would be a desecration of his memory to permit division by selfish interests or merchants of hate,” he said.
Ruto termed Raila as a perpetually optimistic leader who faced adversity with courage and in faith in a better future for Kenya. “His optimism was not blind — it was resilience in motion,” he said. “He instilled in us that no setback is permanent and no dream is too far for an united people.”.
In conclusion, President Ruto revealed that conversations between him and Raila in his final months were centered on Kenya’s development and the vision of making it a first-world country.
“For Baba, leadership was never personal. It was about ensuring Kenya had a good president — one who would lead her from the developing world to the developed world,” Ruto concluded, finishing his eulogy for a man he called “a hero whose legacy will forever inspire Kenya’s journey.”
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