A national steering committee has been unveiled to coordinate activities marking the first anniversary of the death of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, with a week-long programme expected to bring together Kenyans from across the country.
Mama Ida Odinga announced the committee in Nairobi on Thursday, saying the commemorations would not be confined to Raila’s family, political allies or supporters, but would be open to Kenyans across political, regional and social divides. The family has tentatively set the main commemorative activities for October 10 to 17, 2026.
The committee is chaired by Prof. Adams Oloo and includes representatives from government, political institutions, civil society, academia, the private sector and the Odinga family. Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo is also serving on the committee.
“These celebrations do not belong to the committee; they belong to the people. Baba’s people are all welcome,” Mama Ida said.
She said the anniversary would provide an opportunity for Kenyans who felt they did not have sufficient space to mourn Raila in the manner they wished to come together, reflect on his life and celebrate his political and public-service legacy.
Raila Democracy Centre to Be Launched at UoN
Among the major initiatives planned around the anniversary is the launch of the Raila Odinga Centre for Democracy at the University of Nairobi.
The university says the centre will serve as a regional platform for research, scholarship and public dialogue on democracy and governance in Africa. It will be anchored in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration and is expected to bring together academics, policymakers, civil society organisations and democracy institutions.
The university has already completed the institutional framework for the centre, including operational guidelines, a resource-mobilisation model and a strategic plan covering 2026 to 2030.
Mama Ida said such institutional initiatives reflected the breadth of Raila’s contribution to Kenya’s public life, particularly his role in struggles for democracy, justice and peace.
“As we approach the first anniversary of his passing, we recognize that his legacy belongs to every Kenyan who believes in democracy, justice and peace,” she said.
Leadership Academy Established at Kenya School of Government
The Kenya School of Government has also established the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga Regional Leadership and Governance Academy, which is intended to serve as a centre of excellence in governance, public-sector leadership and public administration.
The academy was formally unveiled earlier this year during the Kenya School of Government’s centenary celebrations and forms part of a broader effort to preserve Raila’s public-service and leadership legacy through training, research and governance studies.
Mama Ida welcomed the initiative, describing it alongside the University of Nairobi project as an important institutional recognition of Raila’s contribution to the country.
Commemorations to Bring Kenyans Together
The family-led programme is expected to run alongside other activities being organised by the Orange Democratic Movement under its “Mwezi wa Baba” programme.
According to the current tentative schedule, family-led events will run from October 10 and culminate in a memorial service at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo, while ODM has announced additional commemorative rallies and activities in different parts of the country throughout October.
Prof. Oloo has encouraged individuals, organisations and institutions wishing to participate in the anniversary to engage with the steering committee, stressing that the commemorations are intended to reflect Raila’s national rather than purely partisan identity.
“This celebration has to be national; it knows no religion, it has no boundary. It has to reflect what Baba was,” Prof. Oloo said.
The first anniversary comes nearly a year after Raila’s death on October 15, 2025, aged 80, while receiving treatment in India. His passing triggered nationwide mourning and marked the end of one of the most consequential political careers in Kenya’s post-independence history.
The commemorative programme is therefore expected to serve both as a memorial and as a broader reflection on Raila’s contribution to Kenya’s democratic evolution, political pluralism and governance.
Story By: Mevin Getembe
ICTV E-Press Parliament Reporter
Mama Ida Odinga announced the committee in Nairobi on Thursday, saying the commemorations would not be confined to Raila’s family, political allies or supporters, but would be open to Kenyans across political, regional and social divides. The family has tentatively set the main commemorative activities for October 10 to 17, 2026.
The committee is chaired by Prof. Adams Oloo and includes representatives from government, political institutions, civil society, academia, the private sector and the Odinga family. Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo is also serving on the committee.
“These celebrations do not belong to the committee; they belong to the people. Baba’s people are all welcome,” Mama Ida said.
She said the anniversary would provide an opportunity for Kenyans who felt they did not have sufficient space to mourn Raila in the manner they wished to come together, reflect on his life and celebrate his political and public-service legacy.
Raila Democracy Centre to Be Launched at UoN
Among the major initiatives planned around the anniversary is the launch of the Raila Odinga Centre for Democracy at the University of Nairobi.
The university says the centre will serve as a regional platform for research, scholarship and public dialogue on democracy and governance in Africa. It will be anchored in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration and is expected to bring together academics, policymakers, civil society organisations and democracy institutions.
The university has already completed the institutional framework for the centre, including operational guidelines, a resource-mobilisation model and a strategic plan covering 2026 to 2030.
Mama Ida said such institutional initiatives reflected the breadth of Raila’s contribution to Kenya’s public life, particularly his role in struggles for democracy, justice and peace.
“As we approach the first anniversary of his passing, we recognize that his legacy belongs to every Kenyan who believes in democracy, justice and peace,” she said.
Leadership Academy Established at Kenya School of Government
The Kenya School of Government has also established the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga Regional Leadership and Governance Academy, which is intended to serve as a centre of excellence in governance, public-sector leadership and public administration.
The academy was formally unveiled earlier this year during the Kenya School of Government’s centenary celebrations and forms part of a broader effort to preserve Raila’s public-service and leadership legacy through training, research and governance studies.
Mama Ida welcomed the initiative, describing it alongside the University of Nairobi project as an important institutional recognition of Raila’s contribution to the country.
Commemorations to Bring Kenyans Together
The family-led programme is expected to run alongside other activities being organised by the Orange Democratic Movement under its “Mwezi wa Baba” programme.
According to the current tentative schedule, family-led events will run from October 10 and culminate in a memorial service at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo, while ODM has announced additional commemorative rallies and activities in different parts of the country throughout October.
Prof. Oloo has encouraged individuals, organisations and institutions wishing to participate in the anniversary to engage with the steering committee, stressing that the commemorations are intended to reflect Raila’s national rather than purely partisan identity.
“This celebration has to be national; it knows no religion, it has no boundary. It has to reflect what Baba was,” Prof. Oloo said.
The first anniversary comes nearly a year after Raila’s death on October 15, 2025, aged 80, while receiving treatment in India. His passing triggered nationwide mourning and marked the end of one of the most consequential political careers in Kenya’s post-independence history.
The commemorative programme is therefore expected to serve both as a memorial and as a broader reflection on Raila’s contribution to Kenya’s democratic evolution, political pluralism and governance.
Story By: Mevin Getembe
ICTV E-Press Parliament Reporter
0
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!