President William Ruto has outlined five key leadership lessons he drew from the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, describing him as a symbol of courage, patriotism, and unwavering faith in Kenya’s future.
Speaking while honouring Raila’s memory, during the Mashujaa Day celebration at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County, President Ruto said the lessons drawn from his life reflected enduring values of selflessness, service, and national unity that every Kenyan leader should emulate.
The President said the first lesson from Raila’s life was to always put the nation before personal ambition.
“He reminded us that no disagreement is greater than our unity, no ambition more important than our peace, and no personal interest higher than the welfare of our nation,” Ruto said.
He recalled Raila’s famous declaration that he would shake the hands of his rivals whether he won or lost, because he loved Kenya more than he loved Raila Amolo Odinga.
According to Ruto, this conviction guided Raila’s decision to work with him to stabilise the country despite political differences.
Ruto said Raila’s devotion to Kenya was unconditional, describing him as a man who saw magic and beauty even in the nation’s flaws.
The late leader once said that if given a chance to be born again, he would still choose Kenya, a statement Ruto said reflected profound patriotism.
Raila, he added, believed that nation-building was a continuous journey and that every generation had a duty to renew it.
“He saw promise in our struggles and hope in our contradictions,” Ruto said.
The third lesson, Ruto said, was Raila’s willingness to unite leaders in times of crisis.
He cited Raila’s readiness to work across political lines during periods of turbulence, including the formation of the broad-based government that stabilised the country.
“Even during the last campaigns, he reminded us that collaboration, even with rivals, is not an act of political convenience but a sacred pact with posterity,” Ruto said.
The President hailed Raila as a lifelong preacher of unity who urged Kenyans to see themselves as one people under one flag.
He recalled the 2002 moment when Raila declared “Kibaki Tosha,” saying it demonstrated his ability to rise above tribe and region for the nation’s sake.
Ruto described Raila as an “eternal optimist” who believed Kenya’s best days were ahead.
Despite facing imprisonment and political setbacks, he never surrendered to bitterness.
“His optimism wasn’t naïve—it was courage in motion,” Ruto said.
The President reiterated that Raila’s life offered a blueprint for leadership focused not on the next election, but on the next generation—a leadership bold enough to dream and determined to deliver a greater Kenya.
The Mashujaa celebrations largely honored the former Prime Minister who was laid to rest on Sunday, at the Kang’o Ka'Jaramogi home.
