Thursday, 16th October, 2025

Clerk, do we have quorum?

Serjeant-at-Arms, please ring the Quorum Bell for five minutes.

Clerk, read the first Order.

Hon. Senators, I have a Communication to make relating to this Special Sitting of the Senate.

Services, Senate.

On the request of the Senate Majority Leader, vide Letter Reference Senate/ML/CORR134 dated 15th October, 2025 and with the support of the requisite number of Senators, I appointed today, Thursday, 16th October, 2025 as the day for a special sitting of the Senate. The appointment was made vide Gazette Notice No.15006 dated 15th October, 2025.

In the Gazette Notice, I indicated that the business to be transacted at this special seating shall be consideration of a Motion for the Senate to pay tribute and eulogise the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, EGH.

Hon. Senators, in accordance with the Standing Order No.33(5), the business specified in the Gazette Notice referred to above and as outlined in the Order Paper shall be the only business before the Senate during this special sitting, following which, the Senate shall stand adjourned until Tuesday 28th October, 2025 at 2.30 p.m., pursuant to the Senate calendar.

I thank you.

Services, Senate.

Hon. Senators will recall that the late Raila Odinga was placed under house arrest for seven months and subsequently detained without trial for six years. These experiences arguably gave him the impetus to join active politics and become a steadfast advocate for democracy, justice and rule of law.

Hon. Senators, the late Hon. Raila Odinga's early interest in politics can be said to be the product of his childhood environment and early adult life. When Section 2A of the then Constitution of Kenya was repealed in December, 1999 following political agitation for multi-party democracy that was inspired by the wind of change from one party to multi-party democracy that was blowing across the African continent, he joined the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD).

His first plunge into elective politics was in 1992 when he contested for the Lang’ata Constituency parliamentary seat. He won the seat for his first attempt and retained it in three successive elections held in 1997, 2002 and 2007. The late Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga was a courageous and principled leader who lived by example.

Hon. Senators will recall that he etched his name in the history of Kenya when he resigned from the FORD-Kenya in 1994 and faced a by-election through the National Development Party (NDP), later that year. For the record, he comfortably won that by- election. This was a rare demonstration of courage that many politicians of his day and the present would dread to attempt.

As a Member of Parliament, he was a Member of the House Business Committee in the 7th and 10th Parliaments, Public Investments (PIC) Committee in the 8th Parliament and also Chairperson of the Select Committee on the Constitution Review Process. He served in these committees with dedication, fidelity to the law and constitutionalism, ideals that he lived by throughout his political career.

You will recall that in the late 1990s, the late Raila Odinga led a merger between the NDP and KANU which saw him appointed to Cabinet as Minister for Energy and KANU Secretary General. Later, he was central in founding the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), which defeated the ruling party in the ensuing 2002 General Elections.

After the formation of a new Government led by the third President of Kenya, the late Mwai Kibaki, the late Raila Odinga served as Minister for Roads, Public Works and Housing, a position that he served with zeal by laying the policy framework for major infrastructural developments in and around the country. He shall be remembered for fearlessly overseeing the reclamation of grabbed public roads reserves to pave the way for expansion of the country's road infrastructure.

Services, Senate. formation of a grand coalition government with the then President Mwai Kibaki and served as Prime Minister until March, 2013.

Notably, the late Raila Odinga contributed to the accomplishment of flagship infrastructure projects such as the Thika Superhighway and various bypasses around the Nairobi metropolitan area, thereby facilitating ease of movement of goods and services.

He was also instrumental in other key projects like the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (LAPSET) Corridor Project and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) which were later implemented by the successive governments.

Other notable initiatives include the restoration of the Mau Forest, which today boasts of increased forest cover, preserved ecosystem and later rainfall patterns in the area. He also steered national reconciliation, constitutional reforms and development, playing a pivotal role in the passage of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. His legacy includes the expansion of the democratic space, freedom of association, implementation of infrastructure projects and championing devolution to empower local communities.

The late Raila Odinga's steadfastness stretched beyond the country. He served as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development from 2018 to 2013, extending his influence across the continent. He distinguished himself as a true African statesman, a Pan-Africanist by championing the modernisation and completion of the Trans-African Highways Network and Continental High-Speed Freight Railways Network in support of the regional connectivity and integration.

Hon. Senators, despite electoral setbacks, he remained steadfast in promoting peaceful and democratic processes. Often, the late Raila Odinga set aside his political ambitions for the stability and survival of the nation. This was evidenced in his involvement in the various national reconciliation initiatives, including the 1997 Inter- Parties Parliamentary Group (IPPG) talks, the 2008 National Accord and Reconciliation Process, the 2018 Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and the recent National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) process.

Hon. Senators, the late Raila Odinga was a darling of the people and was affectionately addressed as Agwambo, Baba and Jakom. He connected well with his political audience, whom he carried along in his addresses, especially his use of metaphors, imagery and football commentary, which will be dearly missed by many. He leaves behind an indelible legacy as a nationalist, peace builder and symbol of resilience in the face of adversity.

On behalf of the Senate, we pay tribute to the great departed Kenyan hero and indeed, the enigma of Kenyan politics and convey our deepest condolences to Mama Ida Odinga, our colleague Dr. Oburu Odinga, the Senator for Siaya County, the larger Odinga family, friends and the people of Kenya.

May the Almighty God grant everyone comfort and strength during this difficult time of mourning and may the soul of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, EGH, rest in eternal peace. Let us now stand and observe a minute of silence in his honor.

(Hon. Senators stood up in their places and observed a minute of silence)

Services, Senate.

Hon. Senators, you may take your seats. In recognition of the late Raila Odinga's extraordinary contribution to Kenya and to afford the Senate an opportunity to pay tribute and eulogise him, I have approved a Motion which is scheduled at Order No.3 in this special sitting’s Order Paper. After this communication, notice will be given and thereafter the Motion will be moved in the usual manner for Senators to make their contribution.

Thank you.

Proceed, Sen. Wambua.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is with a heavy heart that I beg to give notice of the following Motion-

AWARE THAT His Excellency the President issued a Proclamation on Wednesday, 15th October, 2025 communicating the passing on of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, EGH, former Prime Minister;

FURTHER AWARE THAT, the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, EGH, served as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya between 2008 and 2013, and previously held various senior positions in Government, including Cabinet Minister for Energy; Roads, Public Works and Housing and as a long-serving Member of Parliament for Lang’ata Constituency serving four consecutive parliamentary terms from 1992 to 2013;

NOTING THAT, the late Odinga’s distinguished public service career spanned over four decades, during which he played a pivotal role in Kenya’s transition to multiparty democracy, the advancement of constitutional reforms and the deepening of good governance, accountability and inclusivity leadership;

APPRECIATING his lifelong commitment to the ideals of democracy, freedom and justice; his central role in the enactment of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, his tireless advocacy for devolution and equitable development, his dedication to reconciliation and peace-building through the 2008 National Accord and Reconciliation Act;

FURTHER APPRECIATING his passion for unifying African countries and promoting Africa’s economic integration and as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa, he championed regional integration, cross-border infrastructure connectivity and the continent’s socio- economic advancement;

RECOGNISING that the late Odinga stood as a symbol of resilience and courage, dedicating his life to the struggle for democratic space, social justice, social and economic transformation, youth empowerment, national unity, even in the face of great personal sacrifice and his enduring legacy as a visionary statesman who inspired generations of leaders across Kenya and the African continent;

Services, Senate.

NOW THEREFORE, the Senate of the Republic of Kenya expresses its profound sorrow and conveys its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and the people of Kenya on the demise of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, EGH; and resolves to record its sincere appreciation of his outstanding service, monumental contribution to the nation and Africa and his indelible legacy as a patriot, democrat and visionary leader.

Thank you.

Next Order.

Proceed, Sen. Wambua.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the following Motion-

AWARE THAT His Excellency the President issued a Proclamation on Wednesday, 15th October, 2025 communicating the passing on of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, EGH, former Prime Minister;

FURTHER AWARE THAT, the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, EGH, served as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya between 2008 and 2013, and previously held various senior positions in Government, including Cabinet Minister for Energy; Roads, Public Works and Housing and as a long-serving Member of Parliament for Lang’ata Constituency serving four consecutive parliamentary terms from 1992 to 2013;

NOTING THAT, the late Odinga’s distinguished public service career spanned over four decades, during which he played a pivotal role in Kenya’s transition to multiparty democracy, the advancement of constitutional reforms and the deepening of good governance, accountability and inclusivity leadership;

APPRECIATING his lifelong commitment to the ideals of democracy, freedom and justice; his central role in the enactment of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, his tireless advocacy for devolution and equitable development, his dedication to reconciliation and peace-building through the 2008 National Accord and Reconciliation Act;

FURTHER APPRECIATING his passion for unifying African countries and promoting Africa’s economic integration and as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa, he championed regional integration, cross-border infrastructure connectivity and the continent’s socio- economic advancement;

RECOGNIZING that the late Odinga stood as a symbol of resilience and courage, dedicating his life to the struggle for democratic space, social justice, social and economic transformation, youth empowerment, national unity, even in

Services, Senate. the face of great personal sacrifice and his enduring legacy as a visionary statesman who inspired generations of leaders across Kenya and the African continent;

NOW THEREFORE, the Senate of the Republic of Kenya expresses its profound sorrow and conveys its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and the people of Kenya on the demise of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, EGH; and resolves to record its sincere appreciation of his outstanding service, monumental contribution to the Nation and Africa and his indelible legacy as a patriot, democrat and visionary leader.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this is a singular honor given to me by the leadership of this House to move this Motion.

The Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga is bigger than just a family man. No leader or person in this country can even begin to pretend to own Raila Amolo Odinga. Speaking from a very personal experience that I have had with our fallen leader, when I decided to join politics in 2017, I resigned as the Managing Editor for the Standard Media Group and joined elective politics in December, 2016.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I approached H.E the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga and shared with him why I thought I should get into elective politics and sought his advice. I remember very well that the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga instead of just talking to me about what he thinks I should do; he wrote me a long letter and sent financial support to my campaign. From that day, at a very personal level, I established a very personal relationship with H.E the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga.

Just the other day, after my second election as the Senator of Kitui County, I had organized a homecoming and H.E the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga arrived before all the other guests that had been invited. He came to my home, shared a meal with us, blessed us, planted a tree and we proceeded to the function.

The Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga is a free spirit. He is not a person that you can confine anywhere in any situation. If anybody thinks that this is a joke, today there is sufficient evidence that Raila Amolo Odinga cannot be confined and his spirit lives with us.

Raila Amolo Odinga dedicated is entire adult life in the pursuit of freedom and the unity of our country in ways that only Raila Amolo Odinga can do. When the stakes were so high and the country was on the verge of collapse, every given moment, Raila Amolo Odinga showed up for Kenya. He did not disappoint.

Raila Amolo Odinga is our leader, all of us. Irrespective of our political affiliations, Raila Amolo Odinga is our leader and we are here to eulogise, a great leader; a leader that never shied away from confronting the realities of our time. He was a leader that built a name beyond the borders of this country across the region.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, allow me, on behalf of the Wiper Patriotic Front and on behalf of my Party Leader, Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, to convey very heartfelt condolences to Mama Ida, Rosemary, Raila Junior, Winnie and to the Jaramogi family for this loss. Allow me to also take this opportunity to condole with my brothers and sisters in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party for losing a leader and their father.

Allow me also to eulogise Raila Amolo Odinga as a man that has been consistent especially in his relationship with my political party and my party leader. It shall be

Services, Senate. remembered that after the 2007 general election, Raila Amolo Odinga joined hands with the late President Mwai Kibaki and Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, to form a government of national unity, a government that delivered real results in this country.

It shall be remembered that in 2013, my party leader, Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka joined hands with Raila Amolo Odinga in the 2013 general elections with Raila Odinga being the presidential candidate and Kalonzo Musyoka being the running mate. To date, we hold the view that, that ticket won the election, but they were not declared winners.

In 2017, they joined hands again, Raila Amolo Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka, in the general election. They fought hard and smart. We still hold the view that, that ticket won the election, but they were not declared the victors.

In 2022, Raila Amolo Odinga joined hands with Martha Wangari Karua. They worked hard and smart, supported vigorously by Kalonzo Musyoka, but the election went the way it went. However, we are here today to celebrate a great man.

As I conclude moving this Motion, I want the family of Raila Amolo Odinga; and the ODM Party that “Baba” formed and steered to know that Sen. Enock Wambua of Kitui County, the Deputy Minority Leader, shall forever be grateful to Baba for the following four reasons-

On 14th April, 2020, Raila Amolo Odinga, in consultation with. President Uhuru Kenyatta and H.E., Kalonzo Musyoka, appointed me to be the national treasurer of the Azimio - One Kenya Alliance, an appointment that stands to date.

On 27th April, 2022, Raila Odinga, the then President Uhuru Kenyatta and Kalonzo Musyoka appointed me as a member of the team of eminent persons that were supposed to pick a suitable running mate for Raila Amolo Odinga.

On 4th October, 2022, Raila Amolo Odinga, in consultation with Kalonzo Musyoka and the leadership of our coalition appointed me the Senate Deputy Minority Leader.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on 6th April, 2023, the late His Excellency Rt. Hon. Eng. Raila Amolo Odinga, in consultation with His Excellency Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and the leadership of Azimio Coalition, appointed me to join the bipartisan talks at the Bomas of Kenya. These were serious national assignments. They were given to me by these leaders because they believed that I could deliver in those roles.

Today, I stand here to eulogise a man who has not only shaped Kenya into what it is today, but also made me the person I am in politics. A man that I keep saying, Raila Amolo Odinga is perhaps one of the very few politicians in this country who could take a bullet for Kenya. In so many ways, he did.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, since I know my colleagues would want to have an opportunity to eulogise this great leader, I want to say: Raila Amolo Odinga has not died. He has rested. May his spirit live on.

With those remarks, I beg to move. I ask the Senate Deputy Majority Leader, Sen. Tabitha Karanja to second.

I thank you.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, I second the Motion. I take this opportunity to give my sincere condolences to Mama Ida, her children; Rosemary, Raila

Services, Senate. Junior and Winnie, the grandchildren and the entire Raila Amolo Odinga’s family not forgetting our own Senator, Dr. Oburu.

I am very privileged to stand here and speak of the life of a man who changed my life and our nation. We are not here merely to lament a life lost, but to own a legacy that will endure. As many have said, Raila's loss has left a silence. When he was alive, there was thunder and we could hear him everywhere. However, as Sen. Wambua has said, he is not gone. His spirit is still with us. He is a man who stood with many of us. He is a man who has left a legacy. He is a man who will live in memory until we die.

I remember nobody believed in me when I said I wanted to invest and break the monopoly of the alcoholic beverage industry that had existed for 80 years. Nobody could believe me. Most of the people I invited asked me where I was getting the money from, where I would get land from and who the experts were. However, he came, believed in me and launched the first plant we built at Keroche Breweries.

Immediately, he was the Prime Minister before he could finish his tenure, I told him I wanted to expand and put in a Kshs5 billion investment. Still, he came and laid the foundation stone. Therefore, Keroche Breweries is what it is today because of the late Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.

When I was arrested, everybody switched off their phones. Nobody could pick my calls, not even my closest friends. This is because they thought they could be arrested with me. It was breaking news. The only person who could pick my call, and I remember he was not in the country, was Raila Amolo Odinga.

Even when I was arrested and released on a Friday, I still remember nobody could pick my calls. They could not understand and everybody feared because there was some fear. He called me on a Saturday and told me we meet at Serena. I was released on a Friday and asked me to go to Serena on Saturday, so that we could have a cup of tea. What he told me is what has kept me going. He told me, “There is nothing wrong you have done. They just wanted to cut your balls. Do not allow them.” I told him, “I have no balls.” He told me, “Just understand what I am telling you. They wanted to cut your balls, but do not allow them.” I later realised what he was telling me and that has kept me going to where I am today.

Raila Amolo Odinga, you were more than a brother to me. Your memory lives within us. As I was driving to come to Parliament, I saw the love of the people. We could not even find ways to get to Parliament. When you look at Kasarani Stadium, it is full because of the love. We do not even know where to go without you. However, I know you have not gone anywhere.

As Sen. Wambua said, I know your spirit will be with us. The legacy you left for us, to remain strong, to fight for this country, to continue fighting for democracy, we are not going to give up. Come to the intercession of this country. You have shown us that we can grow our country to be even better than the developed world. You are a darling to all of us in Kenya and to the world. You live. You have made me today believe that people do not die. We can feel your spirit. I know we will continue with the strength you left with us. We will ride on your legacy and live on.

I second the Motion. I know we will continue talking about you. I know the story of Keroche cannot be written without your name. When I write my book, I know your name will be there.

Services, Senate.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Hon. Senators, I just want to open the Floor for contribution. Since every Senator here wants to make a contribution, we need to limit the time, and I propose to six minutes, which is adequate for everyone, to make their contribution.

We have consulted with both sides of the leadership and reading from the mood of the House, Sen. Crystal, people are in agreement that we should, at least, limit the time. Senator, you do realise it is a special sitting and we are limited by time. If we do not manage our time, we will not finish and not everybody will be able to make a contribution. So, in consideration of everybody, it is only fair that we limit the time.

Hon. Senators, I will call upon Sen. Olekina to make his contribution.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I do not know where to begin. All I know is that the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga was not only my party leader, a personal friend, but also a father figure. When I got back from the United States of America (USA) and wanted to run for office, he is the first person that I went to see and we discussed about my position. From that moment, he became a father figure to me. He also became a mentor and someone who really believed in me.

I know when I say that, I am speaking on behalf of the entire Maasai community, who also viewed him not only as a father figure, but also as a mentor and a defender. For many years, our community has been terrorised, stigmatised and their land rights taken away. However, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister stood firmly in defence of the Maasai land rights. He defended the conservation of the Mau Forest. I remember when he said that he would rather go and sell mandazi in Kibera than give into issues of the Mau Forest. Those are words that resonate, not only with myself, but with the entire community.

On March 5th this year, the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister called me and told me that he wanted to have a meeting with the Maasais in Narok. He asked me whether I could host a meeting in my home. That was on 5th. The next day on 6th, he came and we had a meeting. He spoke to us about the importance of national unity, the importance of patience and coming together.

That was the time when this country was almost at the brink of collapse. After he completed consultations with my people; the Maasai, the next day on 7th, he chose me to be an emcee in the reconciliation meeting between United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) with the intention of making us work together. What the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister did really explained the kind of a person he was. He was a person who put the nation first rather than his own personal interest. He is a person who believed in reconciliation. He is a person who wanted this country to survive.

Services, Senate.

Thank you, Sen. Ledama. Proceed, Sen. Ali Roba.

Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. Today, Kenya mourns not merely a man, but a monumental chapter in the democratic history of this nation. The Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga was a statesman whose name is etched in the annals of democratic space in this country. He is a towering figure who stood at the confluence of history and destiny.

Madam Temporary Speaker, Raila endured imprisonment, suffering and torture that no other political person today can stand and say, I have gone through such torment. Yet, he refused to surrender his conviction to deliver Kenya's democracy in a way that we are today enjoying in this country. The frequency of the change of the seat is a bit alarming. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, to some of us from the North, the Arid and Semi- Arid Lands (ASALs) and marginalised areas, the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga represents the true voice of hope and inclusivity. He has relentlessly voiced his concern

Services, Senate. for the inclusion of the most unfortunate people across the corners of this country. Baba has relentlessly fought for the democratic space in the country so much that every time despair and hopelessness stared at this nation, as well as the true and clear present danger of disintegration, he has always came out, held this country and its fabric together and provided new hope.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, that new hope was only possible from somebody who has earned favour with God. The kind of fanatics that followed the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga will remain in the history of this nation unparalleled or unmatched. I do not believe there shall ever come a politician in this country who will into fit into the shoes of Raila Amolo Odinga.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, Baba was a master of political reincarnation. Every time we went through a general election where people thought it was done for Raila, he has always reincarnated himself and presented to be a force that is impossible to whisk away. We stand with a lot of respect with the family of the late Raila Amolo Odinga; Mama Ida, the friends, the nation, members of the ODM Party and the President of this Republic as we mourn. We pray to almighty Allah, during this testing and trying time, to give all of us in Kenya and the closest family members, the courage to withstand this situation.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, as I conclude, in the interest of managing time as you have guided, I would like to say, Baba, safari yako hapa duniani imeisha, lakini, uridhi wako utabaki mioyoni mwetu kwa miaka mingi ijayo katika nchi hii.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, may Raila rest in peace. I thank you.

Sen. (Prof.) Kamar, please proceed.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to join other Senators in eulogising a great man of this nation.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on behalf of my family, myself and the many friends that the late Rt. Hon. Raila has from Eldoret, I would like to pass our deepest condolences to the family; Mama Ida, the children, his brother, Sen. Oburu and the entire family. I would like to remind them that this is a man who gave himself to the nation and we share the grief with them.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this is a man of great characteristics. He was extremely unique and even as we register our appreciation, we really must thank God for the way this man was planted in the nation to do what he has managed to do and to serve our nation without thinking about himself. He sacrificed a lot for the nation, not only to bring out democracy, but to see to it that democracy was practiced.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this is a man who believed and always said that Kenya was bigger than any individual. He personally practiced it through generations and with different heads of state under very different conditions.

During the Kenya African National Union (KANU) days of the late President Moi, he was ready to sacrifice the National Development Party (NDP) to join hands with KANU to bring peace and stability in the nation. After the elections of the year 2007, where he strongly believed that he had won, he was ready to go for a nusu mkate and confessed many times that was ready to sacrifice because the country was bigger than himself.

Services, Senate.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, during His Excellency President Uhuru's time, he was ready to go for a handshake, again, for the peace of the nation so that this country could progress. Similarly, recently, the same Rt. Hon. Amolo Odinga was ready to go for a broad-based Government with the current Government of His Excellency William Ruto, again with the same principle of the country is bigger than one individual.

He has left a lesson for all of us that we must carry on with. When it comes to situations that may look tricky and which we may not understand as Kenyans, we should remember that the country is bigger than any of us. We should share in this kind of sacrifice in whatever little we can do to make sure that we have a country that is good and fit for everyone, which everyone can enjoy.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I was privileged to serve under the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister. At that time, I was a Member of Parliament in the 10th Parliament and a Member of the ODM. As a member of ODM, he honoured me by giving me the opportunity to be in the Cabinet. As a member of the Cabinet, I got to know Raila differently. I knew a Prime Minister who was detailed. He always chaired a sub- committee of the Cabinet and the inter-sectoral committees of the Cabinet.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, apart from that, he believed in performance. He would have a different meeting for the Cabinet Members from his side of the nusu mkate. We enjoyed mentorship and detail. He always built us. Therefore, in a way, some of us were mentored thoroughly by the Rt. Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga because he believed that we had to excel and perform. He was not a man of mediocrity and he always said; you are in the Cabinet and we want you to excel in your own area. That made our side of the Cabinet be a Cabinet of performance.

With those remarks, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I stand with the Senators in registering our appreciation to the family for the sacrifice they gave in letting this man serve the nation the way he did.

Sen. William Kisang.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I also join my colleagues and send sincere condolences, on behalf of the great people of Elgeyo Marakwet County to Mama Ida, the children and the larger family of Odinga and the ODM Party. I send condolences to my colleague, my Chairman in the Committee on Energy, Dr. Oburu Oginga, for the loss of his younger brother.

I came to know Raila closely in 2005 when there was a contested referendum that time and the symbols set by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) then were orange for nays and banana for ayes. Most of us were young professionals in our early 30s. We joined ODM and went around the country campaigning against the constitution then.

We would have had a constitution earlier, but most of us opposed it. In the process, Raila Amolo Odinga moved across Rift Valley and the rest of Kenya. I remember on one occasion when he came to my former constituency where we had breakfast in Aror Parish. Raila was moving across the country with a new Hummer, the only other Hummer that was in the country then was a famous yellow Hummer that got a puncture at a place near my home. From then on, we continued to campaign. In 2007, I also became a member of the Orange Democratic Movement and contested as an MP for Marakwet West. I lost, but continued to remain loyal.

Services, Senate.

One of the occasions, because there are several occasions, where Raila Amolo Odinga stood as a statesman and put Kenya before himself, was after the 2007 General Election. Everybody knows that Raila won. Even the former Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) Chair, the late Kivuitu, said that he did not know who won. You can imagine a referee saying he does not know who has won. The country would have burnt, but because of the international community and Raila's statesmanship, there was a truce. They sat down, held negotiations and Raila accepted a nusu mkate. That would have been his government and they continued up to 2013.

He contested again in 2013 and 2017. However, we believe that the elections were fair because they were held under the new Constitution. In 2007, the President was sworn in at night. You can imagine election results being declared and then swearing-in takes place at night.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we thank God. I believe that Raila is now happy because he has rested and left Kenya stable. Kenya is in peace. He joined the broad-based government, especially after last year's June Gen- Zs protests. The country would have gone to the dogs like in 2008, but he saw it fit to save the country. Otherwise, if he was a selfish man, he would have joined the Gen Zs and the country would have been burnt.

We give our gratitude to him, his family and Kenyans at large. We have seen what has happened since yesterday. Across the country, people are mourning. Kasarani is overflowing with over 200,000 people, all of a sudden and even in Kisumu, Mombasa, Eldoret and everywhere. He was a great man. We pray that as a country, we will continue to live in peace as one and in cohesiveness. We need to love our country.

Outside there in Africa, our country is seen to be progressive and economically stable. We need to love our nation and country above ourselves. There are many people who come from outside the country to work in Kenya and most of them do not want to go back because we are warm and welcoming people.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on behalf of my family, the people of Elgeyo Marakwet, we pray that the soul of our elder brother, Dr. Raila Amolo Odinga will rest in peace. I thank you for the opportunity to give tribute.

Sen. Catherine Mumma.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity. I request that you allow me to read my tribute to Baba.

My Baba, our Baba, Kenyan statesman number one, the great human rights defender, the conscience of this nation. I am heartbroken, I am numbed yet in this grief, I know your life and legacy is immortal, etched into the conscience of a nation you loved more than yourself. Your sacrifice for this nation was total. You endured suffering that most would not; house arrest, jail, insults, demonisation. Your family members were also subjected to psychological abuse, including stigmatisation and discrimination, especially during the one-party era. These acts did not kill your resolve to keep marching forward for freedoms and rights.

You nurtured leadership at every level. You took our hands, women and men alike, moulding citizens into servants of the people. You built and led a movement that boasts of thousands of officials. Hon. Members, ODM is a strange party or a movement that has more than 200,000 officials. Every polling centre has officials because our party

Services, Senate. leader knew that he was nurturing leadership and he wanted space for everyone to be a leader.

You fought for inclusion of women, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and of communities too often pushed to the margins. You insisted that Kenya must be a home for all her children. Hon. Members, if you look at our nominations in the National Assembly, the Senate and Nairobi City County, you will find that we are the party that has membership from all corners of this nation.

Your social democratic convictions anchored your leadership. You defended human rights fiercely, especially for the vulnerable and voiceless. You stood by the Constitution we passed in 2010, even when you believed we could have done better on some aspects of devolution. You did so because you respected the rule of law and the will of the people, regardless of the opposition you faced within your circles and from those who opposed you incessantly. You remained steadfastly a Kenyan first and the voice of reason in stormy times. You saw further than most, like a giraffe with a long neck and sight. You saw past smoke screens and petty schemes that sometimes and often times were brought around to block others.

You looked over the hedges of isolation and into the broad fields of a united nation. Whatever opportunities came your way, you shared them beyond the selfish, beyond the short-term, always with Kenya in mind.

Not once at a person level, not twice, not three times, not four times, but five times, you reached out and lifted me up. You recognised my contributions when others would not. You called me out on my capabilities and ushered me into rooms where you believed I could add value and represent well. I will never forget.

My prayer is to leave even a little fraction of your example, to speak truth, defend rights, lift others and listen to peoples’ voices. May the Lord in his mercy forgive any human shortcomings that you may have had because Baba you deserve to be in the best place. May He welcome you to a place of true rest and honor.

As for those you leave behind, we will carry your spirit. We will tend the trees you planted, grow its branches wide and bear fruit enough to feed generations because you are a father of generations.

Rest in peace Baba, rest in power, statesman of our hearts. Catherine Mumma.

Asante Bw. Spika wa Muda kwa kunipa fursa hii. Ninaungana na Maseneta wengine kuleta risala zangu za rambirambi na za watu wa Laikipia kwa familia ya mwendazake Mheshimiwa Raila Odinga.

Services, Senate.

Kwa upande wa mazingira, hakuachwa nyuma. Alijitolea kulinda msitu wa Mau na kusema kuwa mazingira yanapaswa kulindwa. Alijitolea kimasomaso hata akaenda huko kupanda miti. Alipenda nchi yake na mazingira.

Amekuwa mwanaharakati ambaye amepigania nchi hii ipate demokrasia. Alipigania nchi hii ilipokuwa na chama kimoja cha kiimla mpaka tukapata vyama vingi. Wakenya wana huzuni katika kila pembe kwa sababu ameguzwa na mtu wa kiwango chake.

Tunajua ameyapitia masaibu mengi kwa sababu ya wananchi wa Kenya, hakuchoka. Alijitolea mpaka mahali aliposema hata ingekuwa maisha yake yachukuliwe angebaki mstari wa mbele kutetea mwanachi wa kawaida.

Kama viongozi tunapaswa kujiuliza kama ingekuwa ni sisi, tungekumbukwa kwa njia ipi kwa yale tunayofanya. Msimamo wake wa miaka mingi ulikuwa katika mstari wa mbele kutetea demokrasia na wananchi wa Kenya. Tutakumbukwa vipi?

Alipopata wadhfa wa Waziri wa Barabara, mambo aliyotenda yanaonekana wazi. Kwa mfano, ujenzi wa Thika Super Highway na kupanua barabara ya kutoka uwanja wa ndege kuelekea Southern and Northern bypass ni kazi alizozifanya. Alipopewa jukumu aliitimiza bila kuangalia nyuma. Vile aliteuliwa kuangalia mambo ya barabara Afrika nzima kwasababu alionekana kuwa mtu asiyezembea katika kazi aliyopewa.

Tumempoteza kigogo wa siasa ambaye ameacha alama katika nchi hii kwa kazi aliyotenda. Ningependa kuiambia familia yake na chama cha ODM kuwa Mheshimiwa Raila ni kiongozi ambaye kila mtu alimjua kuwa shupavu. Ijapokuwa tulikuwa katika mashindano naye, sisi ni ndugu. Yale yalikuwa mashindano kwa sababu Kenya ni moja na sote tunapaswa kuendelea mbele.

Nakumbuka kwa uchungu mwingi, juzi tu ambapo marehemu Waziri Mkuu alitembelea Laikipia alipokuwa akihudhuria mazishi ya Mheshimiwa Matthew Lempurker, ambaye alikuwa Mbunge wa Laikipia ya Kaskazini.

Ni uchungu mwingi kwetu sisi kama Wakenya kumuomboleza shujaa. Ninakumbuka aliposimama na akasema, “Kibaki Tosha.” Alitembea sehemu nyingi za Mlima Kenya na akapewa jina Njamba ambalo ninajuwa Sen. Methu atakapokuwa akichangia atasema maana yake katika lugha ya Kikuyu. Tulimthamini na kumpenda kwa aliyoyafanya.

Mungu aiweke roho ya Mheshimiwa mahali pema peponi. Mambo aliyofanya yatawekwa katika kumbukumbu na kuandikwa kwa wino usiofutika ili tusije tukasahau. Tunaposahau, tutakuwa tukisoma zile daftari na kukumbuka kuna Mkenya aliyekuwa mashuhuri aliyesimama wima kutetea hali na mali ya Wakenya.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I first express my sorrow and deep sympathy to Mama Ida and the Odinga family especially the children who have lost their dear father; Rosemary, Winnie and Raila Jnr.; his siblings including our colleague Sen. (Dr.) Oburu and Hon. Ruth Odinga in the other House and the entire family.

We know the pain of losing a father and a very dear one at that. On behalf of myself, my family and the people of the great County of Nyamira, we say pole to the Odinga family. May the almighty God comfort the family during this very difficult time.

I will mourn Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga at two levels. First, as a personal friend and at personal level and secondly at a political level. I speak as one who can proudly identify

Services, Senate. myself as a personal friend of the late. A person who has visited your home and shared a meal with you, a person who has opened his home to you and you have shared a meal is a personal friend. I had the privilege of hosting Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga at my home and we shared a meal together. I also had the privilege of being invited to his home in Nairobi and we shared a meal, not with a group of people, but just the two of us in his home. So, I consider him a friend.

Therefore, I speak today feeling that I have been orphaned by somebody who has been a father figure to me. He is someone that I could look up to in very difficult situations. I worked very closely with Raila Odinga as I served this country at various levels.

Hon. Raila charmed his way into my heart in March, 2007. A call came through my phone about 30 minutes after I had been elected as the Chairperson of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK). When I received the call, I realised that Hon. Raila Odinga was the one who was calling me. He was in western Kenya and he told me that he was calling to congratulate me and to wish me well in my tenure as the Chairperson of the Law Society of Kenya.

From that moment, I identified him as a friend and we worked together when we were both in Government; I, as the Chairperson of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and Hon. Raila as the Prime Minister. We worked very closely. So, this is a personal loss to me and we pray that the almighty God will give us the grace to bear the loss that we have suffered collectively.

Secondly, Hon. Raila Odinga has also been my political mentor. All the time that the late Hon. Raila Odinga has been alive and kicking, I have always identified myself as an ODM politician. The three times I have contested for a political office; 2013, 2017 and 2022, I always contested as a member of the ODM. This is because I connected with the ideology of Hon. Raila Odinga which is the quest for a democratic society, respect for human rights, respect of our Constitution, separation of powers for an independent Judiciary and an assertive Parliament. That ideology connected with me and that is why I made a personal choice to seek an elective seat through the ODM.

I hope that we will all remember that the last address that was done on this Floor, by Hon. Raila Odinga, was a call for us Senators to step forward into action and support the Constitutional Amendment Bill that is meant to not only strengthen devolution, but also strengthen the role of this Senate for us to be true defenders of devolution.

I make an appeal to the leadership of this country to mourn Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga in action. If we, indeed, loved this man; the gentleman who has fallen, we should then all support the Constitutional Amendment Bill that he personally made an appeal for us to support.

When President John F. Kennedy died in 1964, the President who took over, Lyndon Johnson, made a personal appeal to fulfill the wishes of President John F. Kennedy by supporting the civil---

Can I get one minute?

Yes, you have one minute.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it was that single action of commitment from Lyndon Johnson that made the Americans to enact the Civil Rights Act of 1964. I am calling upon all of us to have a bipartisan approach, courage and

Services, Senate. conviction for us to ensure that the Constitutional Amendment Bill that is supported by the Senate sees the light of day.

Rest thee well, Baba, an icon of democracy in Africa. Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir.

Thank you, Senator.

Hon. Senators, before I call the next Senator to contribute to the Motion on the Floor, allow me to invoke Standing Order No.1 to acknowledge and recognise a senior citizen of this country who is seated in the Speaker's Gallery.

Allow me to acknowledge and recognise Hon. (Prof.) Julia Ojiambo, a renowned veteran politician and academician. Hon. Julia Ojiambo, who was recognised by the Senate during the sittings in Busia, had come to Parliament today to pay her last respects to the late, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, lying in state. This is an event, as you are aware, Hon. Senators, was moved to Moi Sports Complex, Kasarani.

Hon. Senators, accompanying Hon. Julia Ojiambo is Dr. Josephine Ojiambo, who has served as Kenya's Ambassador to the United Nations in New York. Please acknowledge her in the usual Senate tradition.

Thank you and welcome.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, for giving me the opportunity to also contribute to this Motion.

The people of Tana River County, myself and family join the rest of Kenyans in expressing our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of the late Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Many people have said what Raila Odinga did at the national level. However, as you know, myself, Sen. (Prof.) Kamar, Hon. Majimbo Kalasinga, Hon. Mukami and Hon. Passaris were chosen, by this Parliament, to represent Kenya at the continental Parliament called Pan-African Parliament. I would, therefore, like to say a few things that Raila did at the continental level.

I have the condolences of the President of the Pan-African Parliament, who is the equivalent of our Speaker. I have shared that condolence message with all of us. The gist of which is that the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister was a person who understood the power of negotiation and dialogue for the good of the people. That was the gist of what our

Services, Senate. Speaker, President Chief Fortune Charumbira, asked us to convey through this Senate to the Republic of Kenya. That is what the Parliament of Africa thinks of the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga.

In 2018, the Hon. Raila Odinga was appointed as the African Union High Representative in charge of Infrastructure. That is a high position that works across the continent. The High Representative for Infrastructure represents the African Union Commission (AUC) in very important projects that have continental impact. Many people speak about the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport (LAPSSET) project, but they do not connect it to the tenure of the office of Raila Odinga as the African Union representative in charge of Infrastructure.

That was a multi-billion project connecting Lamu Port, South Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia along that transport corridor. The idea was to make connectivity viable and to increase the connectivity within that region. Hon. Raila Odinga used his influence to make sure that the project was put among the priority projects that were to be executed within the Continent of Africa.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, he went a step further and made sure that the African Development Bank (ADB) and the AU New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) mechanism for funding became available for that project to take off. That is not the only project he championed. He also championed super connectivity in terms of digital connectivity. He had a vision to create a super highway connecting Africa, so that business can be done more cheaply across the continent of Africa.

Raila, in his capacity as AU representative, high representative for infrastructure, championed the creation and the push to have a trans-African continental highway, so that somebody who leaves Cape Town can go all the way to Cairo, or somebody who leaves Lagos can cross all the way to the Port of Mombasa. These are some of the few projects that were associated with Raila when he served at the continental level. Africa and this Senate honours him today.

Finally, I wanted to say that in his capacity at the local level, Raila has taught us that you can have the smallest position and make it count. He was just the deputy director of the original FORD-Kenya, but to date, we do not remember who was the chairman of FORD-Kenya at that time because of the influence and what he did with that position.

He was the first Minister for Roads and Infrastructure who was able to go out as a minister. He taught Kenyans that ministers are not supposed to stay in Nairobi in their big offices. He was the first minister who went to the roads, inspected the projects and held those people who were given those contracts accountable. We saw it for the first time and ministers followed after that. He made those offices count.

We say in our tradition---

One minute.

In our tradition, we say that we do not praise people who pass on, but we learn from them. He taught us that it is how you use any position. You can be a clerk in the office of the DC, but be as effective as the pastor in the church or as the local MP. So, as Kenyans, let us work to emulate what he left behind.

With those few remarks, I thank you. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Sen. Agnes Kavindu, please, proceed.

Services, Senate.

Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to join the rest of my colleagues in support of this Motion of eulogising a statesman in this country who has really done more than we can even say in these three minutes that we have.

Let me start by conveying my sincere condolences to the family of Raila Amolo Odinga; Mama Ida, the children, our colleague, Dr. Oburu, the ODM family and Kenya as a whole, because his family and his party are not the only people who are mourning. We are all mourning as a nation.

His Excellency Raila Amolo Odinga has left a landmark in this country. He has fought for democracy, the Constitution that we are celebrating and enjoying the freedom of speech that we have today. He was jailed many times, beaten and he suffered for this country. He has shown himself to be a selfless leader, who went out for the people. Many other times, he stood out and fought for the local mwananchi when he saw oppression. When he saw things were not going the same way they should go, he stood out and called for demonstrations.

This is the only man I know who has not been a President, but he could call for a public holiday and people would fail to go to work, because people listened to him. Kenyans knew that he was the best for the people in his heart. That is why he did all this. He fought for devolution that we are enjoying today. It is my prayer that the current President will make sure that the vision that Raila Amolo Odinga had for this country, especially where devolution is concerned, will be fulfilled.

I would also request that Mashujaa Day be named Raila Day, so that every year when we celebrate Mashujaa Day, he can be known and remembered by all Kenyans. I remember him in 2021 when I vied for---

Mr. Temporary Speaker, can I be heard in silence?

Hon. Senators, let us hear the Senator in silence.

Thank you and please spare my minute. I remember in 2021 when I vied for a senatorial seat in the Machakos by-election, Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga withdrew his candidate and said they were all going to support me. Maybe that is how I came through. In 2022, he had a candidate in Machakos for the senatorial seat. He withdrew and said Mama Kavindu tosha in Machakos. As you know, we were all together in Azimio with His Excellency Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper Patriotic Front Party.

The shoes that Raila Amollo Odinga has left are big. I pray that God will give us somebody who can fit into those shoes and who can stand for the rights of the local mwananchi who is suffering in this country. When Raila went into the broad-based government, he had his ambition and there were things that he said should be done. I pray that the current President will fulfill them, so that even as the soul of Raila rests, it rests knowing that what he wanted and what he intended to achieve as a broad-based will be accomplished. May God rest his soul in eternal peace. May God be with Kenyans as we mourn and may He bring rest to Kenyans.

Services, Senate.

Sen. Munyi Mundigi, please, proceed.

Asante Bw. Spika wa Muda kwa kunipa nafasi hii ili niweze kuchangia na kuleta rambirambi za watu wa Kaunti ya Embu. Pia mimi nikiwa Deputy Party Leader wa Democratic Party katika muungano wa Kenya Kwanza, yangu ni kusema pole kwa watu wa Kaunti ya Kisumu, familia ya Raila Amolo Odinga na pia kwa chama cha ODM kwa yale yaliyotendeka. Yangu ni kusema pole kutoka kwa watu wa Embu.

Sisi kama watu wa Embu, tuliona Raila Amolo Odinga kama shujaa kwa kupigania mwananchi na mipango aliyotaka mwananchi kufaidika nayo. Amekufa akipigania mwananchi kwa sababu agenda ya mwananchi ni mambo ya maji na barabara iwe mashinani. Alikuwa anataka barabara itoke kutoka Mombasa, ipitie Nairobi na iende mpaka Malaba. Alitaka pia mambo ya SGR na ya kilimo ili kila mtu awe na pesa mashinani.

Huyu shujaa amejaribu mambo mengi sana. Nakumbuka kuna wakati alikuwa G7 na haikuwezekana lakini alishindwa na akakubali. Amepitia mengi. Nakumbuka zamani kulikuwa na orange na banana na orange ikashinda.

Bw. Spika wa Muda, ninakumbuka walivyopambana sana na marehemu Rais Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi. Lakini kwa sababu yeye alikuwa shujaa, akifika mahali ambapo mambo yameshindikana, alikuwa akirudi chini kwa sababu ya mwananchi. Baadaye tulisikia kwamba waliungana na Rais na kufanya kazi pamoja.

Wakati wa serikali ya marehemu Rais Mwai Kibaki, huyu shujaa akiwa katika chama ambacho niko ndani pia, walishindana katika uchaguzi na Rais Mwai Kibaki alipotangazwa kuwa mshindi, waling’angana sana lakini baadaye akakubali kurudi chini ili mwananchi aweze kufaidika.

Hiyo haikuwa njia ya kujionyesha; hakupigana kwa ajili yake binafsi; hakupigana kwa sababu ya watu wa Kisumu na hakupigania watu wa region moja. Alikuwa akipigania nchi ya Kenya. Walikuja wakaungana pamoja na serikali ikaendelea vizuri.

Hapo hapo, wakawa wameenda kwa uchaguzi tena na Rais Uhuru Kenyatta. Tena wakang’ang’ana. Wakati Rais Uhuru Kenyatta alipotangazwa kuwa mshindi hapo ikawa imeleta shida lakini baadaye alijishusha na wakafanya kazi pamoja. Ni ushujaa mkubwa kwa sababu katika ulimwengu, sio watu wawili wanaweza kukubali mambo kama hayo; ni kujipiga kifua mpaka dakika ya mwisho. Kwa hivyo, ninatoa asante kwake na pia kusema pole.

Ninakumbuka hivi karibuni, wakati Serikali ya Kenya Kwanza ilitangazwa kuwa imeshinda uchaguzi, kulikuwa na mgogoro hapa na pale, na watu wengine wakaja kuingilia kati. Lakini Serikali ya Rais William Ruto; Serikali ya Kenya Kwanza na Naibu wa Rais Mheshimiwa Kithure Kindiki walikaa chini ili kuona vile amani itapatikana nchini. Kulitokea vita na hata wa leo, watu wengine kazi yao ni mdomo tu na kutaka kugawanyisha watu wa Kenya. Raila Odinga aliweza kukaa pamoja na Rais, na akaona ni vizuri waende barabara moja.

Ninamshukuru sana Rais William Ruto kwa vile aliona ni vizuri ampiganie Raila Odinga ili apate kiti cha African Union lakini haikuwezekana na tukalia sana. Tulikuwa tumeomba sana apate hicho kiti lakini wakati alikosa kukipata, akarudi hapa na wala hakuleta shida lakini akaleta mambo ya amani na kuunganisha nchi ya Kenya.

Services, Senate.

Mimi nikiwa Seneta wa Kaunti ya Embu, ninasema asante sana kwa ODM na Rais wa Kenya, William Ruto na Naibu wa Rais. Raila amewacha kaunti 47 tukiwa kitu kimoja. Na kwa sababu alikuwa na ajenda zake ambazo alitaka zitimizwe kama vile mambo ya barabara, maji, afya na mambo ya pesa mfukoni, ningeomba watu wa ODM, tafadhali tuungane pamoja tuunganishe watu wa Kenya ili tuweze kuenda pamoja na tuweze kuona economy ya kaunti zetu 47 zitakuwa namna gani.

Bw. Spika wa Muda, ninakumbuka miezi kadhaa iliyopita ilikuwa siku yake ya mwisho kuja hapa Seneti. Alikuja hapa Seneti akitaka kuona vile tunafanya kazi, na vile anataka Seneti iwe modified ili iwe the upper House. Tulikaa hapa na tukaongea na yeye na tukasalimiana. Ni kama alikuja kutuambia kwaheri.

Siku ya leo sisi Maseneta 47 kuongezea wengine 20, kwa jumla tukiwa 67 tunawaambia watu wa Nyanza, Western na kona zote za nchi kwamba sisi tumeleta rambirambi zetu na kusema pole. Raila ameenda vizuri kwa sababu ametuunganisha---

Asante, Seneta. Sen. Hamida Kibwana, you may proceed.

Asante, Bw. Spika wa Muda. Kwa heshima, naomba kusoma sala ya kumbukumbu kwa marehemu, Mheshimiwa Raila Amolo Odinga.

Baba wa Taifa wa demokrasia ya Kenya. Leo Kenya inalia kwa kuondoka kwa mwana wa pekee, mzalendo wa kweli na kiongozi aliyetoa maisha yake yote kwa ajili ya nchi yake, Mheshimiwa Raila Amolo Odinga. Ni vigumu kuamini kwamba sauti yake imenyamaza na mikono yake haiko tena kutuongoza na uso wake wenye matumaini hautaonekana tena mbele yetu.

Baba, Raila Odinga hakuwa mwanasiasa tu, alikuwa mfumo wa imani na matumaini; nguzo ya haki na dira ya kizazi kilichotamani kuona Kenya yenye usawa wa demokrasia na amani katika safari yake ndefu ya kisiasa. Alionyesha udhabiti usio na kifani. Alijitoa kwa moyo wa dhati, akavumilia mateso, vifungo na upweke na hali kwa imani kwamba siku moja Kenya ingesimama huru na watu wake wakiwa sawa mbele ya sheria na mbele ya Mungu.

Alikuwa kiongozi mwenye moyo mpole lakini imara katika msimamo wake. Wakati wengine walichagua ukimya, yeye aliamua kusema. Wakati wengine, waliona hatari yeye aliona fursa ya mabadiliko. Wakati wengine walichoka, yeye alisimama, tena kidete kwa sababu aliwapenda watu wake na aliamini katika uwezo wa Kenya kupaa juu ya ukabila, chuki na ubinafsi.

Kwa miaka mingi, Mheshimiwa Raila alijitolea kwa kuunganisha taifa hili. Alitafuta maridhiano badala ya mafarakano, amani badala ya visasi na umoja badala ya mgawanyiko. Alituonyesha ya kwamba siasa sio uhasama bali ni huduma, kwamba mamlaka si heshima bali ni jukumu.

Nitamkumbuka Baba kuwa mtu aliyeishi kwa imani. Aliamini katika haki na alijitolea kwa kila tone la nguvu aliyokuwa nayo ili kubadilisha Kenya.

Services, Senate. Alikuwa kiongozi mlezi, mshauri na zaidi ya yote, Baba wa taifa wa demokrasia.

Tunapomzika, tusimulilie kama aliyepotea bali tumsherehekee kama aliyeshinda kwa sababu, kweli, Baba Raila Amolo Odinga alishinda. Alishinda hofu, alishinda ukimya na alishinda vizuizi vingi vilivyowekwa mbele yake. Urithi wake utabaki hai katika historia ya Kenya, katika mioyo ya vizazi vijavyo na katika mioyo ya wale wote walioguzwa na ujasiri wake.

Juzi Baba alinipigia simu. Nikashangaa kwani alikuwa mgonjwa na sikuelewa kwa nini ananipigia simu. Nilidhani ni afisa wake wa usalama anayenipigia simu. Aliniambia, “Hamida, ni mimi nakupigia. Nitarudi nyumbani.”

Alikuwa ameniwachia kazi yake nifanye. Aliniuliza kama nimemuandalia hiyo kazi. Nikamwambia kuwa sikuandaa tu, bali haitafanywa hotelini ila kwake nyumbani. Alicheka na kuniambia, “Hamida, I am coming home. That is fantastic. I am so grateful for what you have done. I am coming home.”

Tuliongea kwa muda wa nusu saa hapo juzi na jana yake akatuacha. Namuombea Mungu amlaze mahali pema. Kwa ndugu, Mama Ida na watoto, kaka yetu Sen. (Dr.) Oburu na watu wote, Mungu awape nguvu. Familia kubwa ni Wakenya. Tumefiwa. Baba lala salama.

Asante.

Sen. Esther Okenyuri.

Asante sana Bw. Spika wa Muda. Naunga mkono Hoja hii. Kwanza natoa risala zangu za rambirambi kwa Wakenya, Mjane ambaye ni Mke wa Mheshimiwa Raila aliyeaga dunia, watoto, jamaa pamoja na ndugu yetu Sen. Oburu aliyefiwa na ndugu yake.

Pili, ulimwengu huu ni jukwaa. Sisi tuliopo ni wachezaji na kila mtu ana nafasi yake. Nafasi ya aliyekuwa Waziri Mkuu na kiongozi wa upinzani kwa muda mrefu ilikuwa imefika. Tunaomba Mwenyezi Mungu amuweke mahali pema peponi.

Viongozi tuliopo sasa tunafaa kujifunza mambo machache hapa na pale. Raila Odinga hakuwa anaogopa kukosolewa na watu. Mara nyingi alipokosolewa, alikaa kimya. Pia alifungwa bila ya kufunguliwa mashtaka na hakuweka hayo moyoni, bali alijiunga na viongozi waliokuwa wanapingana naye na kuendelea mbele.

Services, Senate.

Bw. Spika wa Muda, kama viongozi wa sasa hivi, tunafaa kuwa na maadili kama hayo. Tunamkumbuka kama kiongozi aliyepigania ugatuzi, uhuru wa sheria na Katiba tuliyo nayo. Ni tumaini langu kwamba kama viongozi wa vizazi vijavyo, tutazidi kuongozwa kupitia sheria na Katiba kama vile mwendazake Mheshimiwa Raila Amolo Odinga alivyokuwa anayasimamia.

Singependa kuzungumza mengi, lakini kwa kipindi kifupi nilichofanya siasa, hizo ndizo hulka za Mheshimiwa Raila Odinga nilizozipenda. Tutazidi kujifunza mengi kwa kazi na misingi atakayoiacha kwa sasa hivi.

Asante sana.

Sen. Andrew Omtatah.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is with a heavy heart that I thank you for giving me the opportunity to mourn the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, a man I voted for every time he ran for President.

I do not know how to mourn Raila. I do not know whether to mourn him as a statesman or as a forgiving, focused human being or as the enigma he was celebrated to be. I do not know how to mourn him. However, I know how to celebrate him as a man who stood for something.

Even when he was wrong, he was decisive. He was a man who saw the bigger picture, epitomised by his statement that “Kibaki tosha.” He was a man who was blocked in very many ways from achieving his dreams through underhand deals. The same things that were done to him in life seem to be following him in death. I have just seen reports that mourners have been teargassed at Kasarani Stadium. The preparation for his funeral is not well coordinated. I would have expected much better planning than what we are seeing. The spontaneous mourning that has come from the bereaved public would have been better managed with proper planning. We did not have to see teargas on the day people are mourning the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga.

I hope that going forward, those in charge will make better plans that will take into consideration the fact that this man was loved and the crowds will be big. Even the failure to get him into this Parliament is a very sad statement. I condemn the lack of planning that seems to underpin our public lives in the Kenyan state of late.

I hope that going forward, the funeral will be planned with military precision. Whoever is lobbying those teargas will restrict themselves, so that we can give Raila a dignified send-off. Not a send-off that is marred by what we are hearing from the media. The last place I expected to see teargas was Raila's funeral. Yes, the energy is there, the mourning is there and the people have come out. However, they have walked all the way from the Airport along Mombasa Road into Kasarani. In all those kilometres, they have not harmed anybody. I really condemn that act.

As I go back, I thank God for the life of Raila for both his successes and his failures. In his failures, the human side came out, that showed he was just a human being like the rest of us. Every time he rose up from his failures, he gave us hope that there is always a second chance in life. Therefore, I celebrate him as a human being.

I pray to the Almighty God to look down with favour upon him, have mercy on his soul and receive him in eternal bliss. I also pray for Mama Ida, his children, his siblings, including our brother, Sen. (Dr.) Oburu. I also pray for those who depended on him politically that there will be order in all those domains after he is gone.

Services, Senate.

I hope that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will remain an institution. To those who have been left behind in this political party that has been around for 20 years, please, do not destroy that party due to personal ambitions or greed. Let the party survive. One of the biggest problems we have had in this country is the lack of consistency in political parties, where political parties come and go like dew in the morning sun.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I pray for this country that the absence of Raila may not lead to the downfall of---

Sen. Hillary Sigei.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to also pay my tribute to the fallen hero of this wonderful country called Kenya. Yesterday was such a sorrowful day. It was a sad day, not only for the immediate family of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, but for the rest of us as a country, as a community and the whole world indeed felt the pain of the loss of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the people of the great County of Bomet, who out of the democratic space that we are celebrating and that we are enjoying right now, gave me the opportunity to sit in this House. It is that democratic space that we enjoy, that we have got the opportunity to have representation here in this House. It is that space that the Rt. Hon. Amolo Odinga created for very many, not only those who subscribed to his political space or his political party, but to the people of this great country.

We know of very many incidences and examples where he has sacrificed his personal interest, both of his political party, which for a very long time has been not just a political party, but a movement that has always entirely relied on his wisdom, on his sacrifice, and the direction that he has given that we celebrate that particular space of democracy right now in Kenya.

The loss of him, therefore, is not only to his family, it is not only to his community, not only to the party, but to the rest of us. We feel the pain that his immediate family is going through, that our colleague, Sen. Oburu and the rest of the members of this House are going through and we mourn as a House because the Rt. Hon. Odinga was a champion of devolution.

The many legislations that have been enacted on devolution do not miss a word on his contribution. The unity that we are celebrating now as a country and the peace that has facilitated the governance of the current government is attributed to the sacrifices that the Rt. Hon. Odinga gave of his own ambitions and that of his political party, because he championed the interests of the country and not the interests of the person that is in him.

Listening to the people, the public, mourning all the way from when we heard the sad news of his demise yesterday to what is going on right now, to what the people of Kenya are feeling, we have lost a patriot, we have lost a great man, we have lost a leader and a leader of many generations to come.

How I pray that even as we plan to put him to rest, his contributions shall not go in vain in ensuring that we continue to support the space that is created in the political environment. We continue to celebrate and emulate the sacrifices that he made as a political leader, family man and Kenyan, so that we achieve the spirit that we live beyond him.

Services, Senate.

I join the rest of my colleagues to say that the person of Raila Odinga could have left us now and is on his way to be interred ultimately. The spirit that he has left behind, the future that he had, we pray that we live up to it. It is a golden opportunity to ask as of ourselves as Kenyans, as leaders who are living today, who have the opportunity to lead today, to emulate that kind of leadership and ask that the unity of purpose, the commitment that he gave to the leadership of this country, and to the aspirations that he had, can come out of those of us who are left behind. This is so that we live to protect this country called Kenya, because we do not have another Kenya. This is the only country we have, and we have to live to the spirits of the Rt. Hon. Amolo Odinga. He will remain forever in the hearts of very many Kenyans, in the political space.

As I end, I can only say that there can only be one Baba; there can only be one Baba Raila Amolo Odinga. May his soul rest in eternal peace, may his family find peace and may everyone else who is grieving for his loss find it easy in their hearts as we put him to rest.

Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, thank you and may he rest in eternal peace.

Hon. Senators, I call upon the Mover to reply.

Hon. Senators, there is a situation--- Hon. Senators, if you could, please, it is for your own safety.

Hon. Members, please, it is for our own safety. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply.

I thank you. Hon. Senators, I will put the question.

Hon. Senators, there being no other business on the Order Paper, the Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, 28th October, 2025 at 2.30 p.m.

The Senate rose at 4.49 p.m.