Suba North MP and Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo has paid an emotional tribute to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, recalling their final conversation and his enduring message of unity and forgiveness.
Speaking during Raila’s funeral service at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology in Bondo, Odhiambo said her last conversation left a lasting impression.
She described Raila as lively and strong, full of hope for his movement and country.
“He told me, ‘We need to be united as a party,’ and he said in Kijaluo,” she recounted.
“Even in his final hours, Baba was focused on unity and the strength of the movement he built.”
Odhiambo said Raila spoke cheerfully, even joking about false reports of his death.
“When I asked him, ‘Baba, how are you?’ he told me, ‘I am fine. In fact, in the morning I walked all around. I am even surprised there are people who have killed me in Kenya and have already buried me,’” she recalled.
Those words, she said, now carry painful meaning.
“To those who killed Baba before his time, we forgive you because we are Christians, but we will never forget. And to those who stood with Baba, we shall also never forget,” she said.
Odhiambo revealed that she was at State House when President William Ruto announced Raila’s death.
“That morning, I was the only ODM member among the Luo political class present. When the President said, ‘I have bad news,’ I somehow already knew. The longest walk I have ever taken was from your office to my car. I almost collapsed twice,” she said.
The legislator thanked President Ruto for his empathy and leadership during the difficult period, noting that he asked women MPs to remain in Kenya to support Ida Odinga while others travelled to India.
“That sensitivity meant so much to us. We shall never forget,” she said.
Odhiambo described Raila’s passing as a painful loss to his family, supporters, and the nation, urging Kenyans to uphold his message of unity, forgiveness, and resilience.
