Bondo, the lakeside town in Siaya County, has transformed into what many mourners are calling a living shrine as thousands continue to visit the ancestral home and burial site of the late Kenyan statesman Raila Amolo Odinga.
The veteran politician and former Prime Minister of Kenya, widely known as “Baba”, died on 15 October 2025 at the age of 80 from a cardiac arrest while receiving medical treatment in Kerala, India. His death brought an outpouring of grief across Kenya and the African continent, with tens of thousands gathering during the official mourning period and funeral events.
His body was flown back to Nairobi, where it lay in state and was viewed by a huge cross-section of the Kenyan public. The state funeral service took place at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi before the final burial on 19 October 2025 at his family’s mausoleum in Bondo, beside his father, independence hero Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Thousands Pay Homage in Bondo from early morning until nightfall. Visitors from across Kenya and even abroad have continued to descend on Bondo. Lines of vehicles stretch out of town, as elders, youth, clergy, civil society activists, former allies, political figures and ordinary citizens come to honour the life of a leader whose personality shaped Kenya’s modern politics.
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Many lay flowers, light candles, sing his favourite songs, and sit in quiet reflection at the homestead turned memorial ground, creating a solemn yet vibrant atmosphere that locals describe as a living shrine to his legacy.
Notable Public Figures Who Have Visited
A broad spectrum of leaders and public figures has visited Bondo since Odinga’s burial. Among them:
President William Ruto — who led the nation in mourning and attended both the state funeral and events in Bondo.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta — who joined in national mourning and was present at funeral-related events.
Senior county governors and legislators from across Kenya, including leaders from Kisumu, Homa Bay and beyond, have made the pilgrimage to pay respects.
Church leaders and faith representatives from various denominations have led prayers and memorial services in the region.
Regional and international envoys and dignitaries sent condolence delegations or messages, reflecting Odinga’s influence beyond Kenya’s borders.
A Place of Reflection and Legacy
For many visitors, Bondo now stands as more than just a hometown, it symbolizes the struggle for multi-party democracy, constitutional reform, and political inclusivity that defined Odinga’s life.
Portraits, inscriptions, prayer vigils and informal gatherings of friends and supporters have turned the burial compound into an enduring site of public memory.
Some youths chant slogans associated with Kenya’s democratic reforms, while elders recount Odinga’s multiple presidential bids, his role in ushering in the 2010 Constitution, and his time as prime minister in the unity government formed after the 2007–2008 election crisis.
Security remains in place to manage the crowds, and locals report a surprising economic boom as visitors support small businesses, guesthouses and roadside vendors.
Enduring Legacy
Raila Odinga’s passing marked the end of an era in Kenyan politics. Whether one agreed with his politics or not, the sheer number of Kenyans who continue to travel to Bondo underscores the profound impact he had on the nation’s political landscape.
In this quiet lakeside corner of western Kenya, his legacy lives on;in stories, in tears, in songs, and in the steady flow of people who come not just to mourn, but to celebrate a life that many believe helped shape modern Kenya.
