Winnie Odinga has opened up about the last night she spent with her father, the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, describing it as an intimate and personal moment.
In an interview with Citizen TV on January 27, Winnie said she shared two hours with her father in his room, talking about a wide range of matters.
“We sat in his room for two hours discussing everything,” she said.
She explained that some of these conversations were private and should not be shared with the public, emphasizing respect for her father’s memory.
“They were deeply personal, and I feel it would be disrespectful of me to share those personal conversations that I had in private with the public,” Winnie said.
Winnie also urged the public to avoid guessing or spreading claims about what Raila might have said during his last hours.
“There are very many people who may now say that the party leader may have said this and that. I feel it is not incumbent upon them to bring that into the forefront,” she said.
“I think it is disrespectful to the departed, and I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to discuss that.”
Reflecting on her long professional partnership with her father, Winnie said she had worked closely with him for over 15 years, supporting him through various political roles.
“For the last 15 years, I have worked at his side, no matter the dispensation,” she said.
She highlighted that while they shared many similarities, they also challenged and pushed each other constantly.
“We used to challenge each other, we used to test each other and push each other,” she said.
Describing their relationship as complex, Winnie said it is difficult to put into words the multiple roles Raila played in her life.
“He was my father, he was my party leader, he was my mentor, and he was also my closest friend and coping with this difficult time without him has been quite difficult,” she said.
Raila Odinga passed away on October 15, 2025, at the age of 80 while receiving treatment at a hospital in India. He was laid to rest on October 19 at his extended family home at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County.
The funeral included full military honours, with a 17-gun salute and the ceremonial last post performed by the Kenya Defence Forces. This followed a presidential proclamation issued by President William Ruto ordering that Raila receive a state funeral with full national and military honours, recognizing his contributions to the country.
Leaders from across the region, including President Ruto, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, attended the funeral.
