After weeks of nonstop hosting, Mama Ida Odinga has taken a short pause from receiving guests at Opoda Farm, where she has been welcoming visitors since the death of former Premier Raila Odinga on October 15.
Since news of Odinga’s passing, Ida’s home in Karen and Opoda Farm have become focal points for mourners, including politicians, dignitaries, supporters, and ordinary citizens.
The former Premier was laid to rest on October 19 in a funeral attended by the President and top leaders. Traditionally, Luo customs mark the fourth day after burial, known as chieng’ mar ang’wen, as the official end of the mourning period. The Odinga family observed these rites, enabling daughters who were married elsewhere to return home and sons to resume family life.
Despite this, visitors continued to arrive daily at Opoda, often bringing gifts ranging from food and animals to tree seedlings. The constant stream of mourners prompted Mama Ida to take a brief break. On Sunday, November 9, she traveled to Nairobi, marking her first time away since the mourning began.
“Mama took a break for at least a week before returning towards the end of this week,” said Emily Oginga, her sister-in-law and Odinga’s step-sister. In her absence, other family members, including Emily and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s surviving widows, Betty and Susan, have carried on with hosting duties at Kang’o ka Jaramogi near the former Premier’s resting place.
Visitors over the past weeks included a Wiper Democratic Front and Ukambani delegation led by Kalonzo Musyoka, which brought 100 cows, followed by Nairobi County Assembly members and a group from Suna West led by MP Peter Masara.
Thousands of Gor Mahia football fans also visited the gravesite directly, paying their respects in large numbers.
Relatives involved in organizing activities at Opoda, including Albert Ojonyo and Elijah Raila, advised mourners to visit the gravesite during Mama Ida’s absence.
“For now, mourners are advised to visit the gravesite to pay respects to Odinga,” said Ojonyo. Elijah added that Ida would resume receiving visitors next week and, while in Nairobi, continues to meet guests, though in smaller numbers.
Mama Ida is expected to return to Opoda this weekend. It is not yet confirmed whether she will attend the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) 20th anniversary celebrations in Mombasa from Thursday to Sunday, which include the party founders’ dinner with President William Ruto as the chief guest. The milestone this year also marks the first anniversary of Odinga’s passing, blending both party and national commemoration.
Meanwhile, trips to the gravesite continue, with visitors attending individually or in groups to honor the late leader.
