Thursday, 16th October 2025

I am so sorry. Can you be upstanding.

Thank you for reminding me. We are all in a sombre mood. We will strictly follow the list of those who have logged in and are on the screen. Is that alright? In morning, I picked from here and there to balance a few interests. But now we have one interest - baba. Si ndiyo? The screen is full and so, if you have logged in, as they edge out, others will keep coming on. Can you call out the Orders?

Take your seat Member for Vihiga. Members at the Bar, take the nearest seats. Hon. Naomi Waqo, where is the nearest seat?

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (a) , I rise to give the following Statement on behalf of the House Business Committee, which met on Tuesday, 14th October 2025, to prioritise business for consideration during the week.

I first wish to recognise that today we meet under sombre circumstances. As stated by His Excellency, Dr. William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and your Communication issued this morning, the nation is in mourning following the death of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, the second Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya. I wish to convey my deepest condolences to the family and to all Kenyans at this difficult time.

I wish to remind Members that in accordance with our Calendar, the House is scheduled to proceed on recess tomorrow, Friday 17th October 2025 and, thereafter, resume Regular Sittings on Tuesday, 4th November 2025 at 2.30 p.m.

Upon resumption, the House will continue to consider the following Bills at various stages:

Next Order.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this very important tribute to our departed hero, His Excellency, Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Marakwet West, I wish to express my condolences to the family of the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga. We have lost the father of our democracy.

Hon. Speaker, Hon. Odinga may have rested, but the flame of freedom burns on. This is a man who was synonymous with our democracy. Our democracy as a country is blossoming because of his contributions. His contributions shall forever remain edged in our memories. This country shall never forget that he is the father of the second liberation.

Article 2 (a) of our Constitution was repealed because of the fight by Hon. Odinga. He fought so that, that particular provision was repealed and, therefore, the democratic space was opened in this country.

Hon. Raila’s long pursuit for democratic ideals shall forever be remembered by the people of the Republic of Kenya. This is a man who bestowed Kenya’s and Africa’s political

landscape like a colossus and for that reason, this man will live in immortality. He shall never be forgotten. He will be in the records of this world, just like Hon. Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and other great heroes like Shakespeare and Martin Luther King Junior. Kenya and Africa shall not forget this heroic son of their continent. Hon. Raila Odinga outlived regimes, outwitted his rivals and outlasted movements. He was and shall remain forever in our hearts.

Hon. Speaker, in the words of Julius Ceasar, veni, vidi, vici. Those are the words that I attribute to the life of Hon. Raila Odinga, meaning I came, I saw and I conquered. Hon. Raila Odinga came to Kenya, saw and conquered. For that reason, he shall live in immortality. Rest in peace, Hon. Raila Odinga. We shall forever cherish you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Hon. Timothy. Hon. Members, as I give the chance to the next Member, tomorrow morning, the Leadership has decided that as many of you as possible come to Parliament at 7.00 a.m. We shall have a short prayer of our Houses of Parliament, and thereafter, we shall provide buses to take you to Nyayo National Stadium. Those of you who want to risk driving your cars to Nyayo National Stadium with the massive crowds, you are free to do so. Those who would want to get into the buses and go collectively leaving your cars in parking will be dropped back after the service, can do so. The choice is yours. But be in Parliament at 7.00 a.m. I will be here by 6.30 a.m. so that we have a short prayer before going to Nyayo National Stadium. Hon. Parashina.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Hon. Speaker, yesterday, the entire country awoke to the painful news that has shaken the hearts of everyone. From the mountains to the coast, and from the lake to the desert, we mourn the passing of our elder, leader, liberator and statesman, the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. The country has not only lost a leader, but also a symbol of courage. A man whose name will be written in the golden pages of our history. Raila Amolo Odinga was not just a politician. He was a movement. It has been demonstrated today by the crowds at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and outside Parliament that Raila Amolo Odinga was a movement in this Republic.

As we mourn as a country, let us remember what he fought for – democracy. He showed us that democracy is not freely achieved. He endured detention without trial, prosecution, exile, and suffered for the sake of this nation.

For the record, Raila Amolo Odinga was never exiled. We must be factual.

I stand corrected, Hon. Speaker. It is good to remember the challenges he faced and how he bore the weight of our collective struggle on his shoulders. He wanted a better Kenya, and the freedom and justice we enjoy today are because of what he did for our nation. He taught us that leadership is not about holding office, but about holding the hopes of one’s people and country. He showed us that politics should not create hatred, but heal divisions. It should build bridges and foster reconciliation. Reconciliation is not a sign of weakness, but of wisdom.

As we celebrate his life, we remember his legacy of championing a multi-party democracy from 1992. Everyone understands the role that Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga played in this country.

He also championed the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, which established devolution. Through his hard work and valiant fight, we now have the county governments. We recall his slogan that power and resources should be channelled to the grassroots. We all enjoy that reality today.

As the Maa Nation, we recognise that Raila was not only a national political leader, but also a defender of the Maa people. From colonial land injustices to the fight for fairness, he stood with us, and in every election, we stood with him. He was our hero.

On behalf of the people of Kajiado South Constituency and Kajiado County, I wish to convey my condolences to Mama Ida and the entire Odinga family by saying pole sana.

Rest well, Baba. Kenya will never forget you.

Hon. Osoro.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker. I am about four decades old, but my experiences with the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga can give me over 50 to 100 pages of content to write just about him. My first encounter with him was in 2008 when I was introduced to him by his late son, Fidel Castro Odinga. We later reconnected around 2012 when I worked closely with Hon. John Mbadi as his errand man, without dreaming of ever becoming a politician. It was at that point that Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga identified me. I then joined the ODM Youth League under the leadership of Rashid, who we later ousted due to indiscipline, within the party structures. When I later sought to run for office under ODM, Raila, in his wisdom, told me that I was a young man and I could not manage to run. I then shifted to the little-known Kenya National Congress, through which I was eventually elected to this House. The rest is history.

My experiences with the late Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga made me feel as though I had known him my entire life. When you sat with him, he would tell you stories about this country, and details that you did not even know about your own village. He would tell you about your village, clan and forefathers. He would know everything about you. He had an immense knowledge of history. For a man of his age and stature, you would be mesmerised to learn that he knew so much and he kept it all in his mind. He remembered the names of those whom he struggled with. He even knew about the history that predated him. He was full of wisdom.

Earlier this morning, a Member compared him to Nelson Mandela, but I would add that he embodied the spirit of many great men in this world, not just Nelson Mandela. There is Mahatma Gandhi, Thomas Sankara, Martin Luther King Jr., and others. All the attributes that we admire in those great men were bestowed on one man. It is surprising how one man was blessed with an unmatched political acumen in the whole world.

How can your list of great men in Africa and not include Julius Nyerere and Kwame Nkrumah?

I am well guided, Hon. Speaker. I will carefully evade Nkrumah, but I will applaud Nyerere. I will have a discussion with you in another forum about what I have read about him.

How can one man be so blessed? He had an unmatched political acumen such that you would think he was a spirit. He had a huge mass following, was freely loved by many and yet, managed to keep his family together. What I have seen today is motivating. Amidst the tumultuous political landscape in our country, he ensured that his children were educated, and were able to manoeuvre the political landscape of our country. It is touching that he passed away not far from his daughter, Winnie Odinga. That teaches us that even as we navigate the murky world of politics, we should not forget our families because at the end of it all, it is our family that remains besides us in our sunset years. That is what I have learned today from the life of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga.

Finally, we could never truly repay what he gave us as a nation. We did not appreciate him enough in life, but may he find a soft place to lay his head on behalf of our country. I do not think that this country gave him the best that we ought to have given him.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Leader of the Majority Party, unlike everybody else, you have 10 minutes.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Allow me to convey my sincere condolences to the Odinga family — Mama Ida Odinga, their children and the extended family. I was privileged and honoured to be part of the delegation that travelled

to India to repatriate the body of our departed hero. It was a great honour to accord him that last respect.

I request Kenyans, even as we express our condolences to the family, to allow this great man not only to rest in peace, but to also be sent off with the dignity that he deserves. We have seen the outpouring of multitudes in the streets, right from the airport to Kasarani Stadium. I would like to ask Kenyans to accord the family and Baba the dignity and honour that he deserves. The outpouring of love is understandable. But I request Kenyans to allow a few protocols to be observed, especially around the family.

I first encountered the late Raila Odinga back in 2013 when I joined this House. Often, we were in opposing sides with Hon. Raila Odinga, where you were at that time, Hon. Speaker, as you may recall. In my maiden speech in this House, as a new Member of Parliament, I described Raila Odinga as an old man who was away in London then. We had a very strong altercation here with the then Member for Nyando. But that defined my entry into national politics. I later met the former Prime Minister, Hon. Raila Odinga, through his brother, Hon. Oburu Odinga - my very good friend whom we served together in the Public Investments Committee (PIC), where I was the Vice-Chair in my first term. One day, when we were in a report-writing retreat in Mombasa,

“What is your problem with my brother?” I told him that I did not have any problem with his brother, but I had to do what was necessary for my politics. Three weeks after that, Hon. Oburu introduced me to Baba.

Yesterday, I briefly spoke on the Floor of the House. You must forgive me because my phone conversation with Hon. Raila Odinga on 14th September, when my dad passed away, evoked memories of what he had told me. Before that conversation, we had met on 1st June in Homa Bay County. As we were having a cup of tea, we had a discussion about the number of teaspoons I added to my tea. I told him that my dad would add up to 40 teaspoons of sugar. But

“How old is your dad?” I told him 105 years. He said: “No way!” We agreed that he would pay him a visit later but that did not happen. He then called me on 14th September when I lost my dad, not only to condole with me, but tell me that he owed our family a visit. He said he was unwell but could visit once he got better. That is why the news of his death weighed heavily on me yesterday. It was a good thing that I

was honoured to represent Parliament in the repatriation of his body from India. We thank the Government of India for the honour they accorded to our statesman. I also thank the Government of Kenya for all the support they have accorded to the family to give this great man a good send-off.

As I said earlier, Hon. Raila believed in dialogue and reconciliation. The best gift that we can give to this great man is to keep that reconciliation kicking. We must continue to dialogue when we have disagreements. The millions of Kenyans who are celebrating his life – today, tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday – should do so peacefully. So far, they are very peaceful, mourning with their twigs. But they should be a bit more orderly so as to allow the protocols and give time to the family to mourn their father. I say this from a very personal point because I flew back to the country with Winnie and our sister Ruth Odinga. And I have also seen how devastated Mama Ida is. Up to this moment, the children have not viewed the body of their father and Ida has not viewed the body of her husband. I plead with Kenyans to allow that family to peacefully send off their dad, our father - the Baba of our nation. He should be accorded the dignity and honour befitting of the great son of Africa, Pan-Africanist, reconciler, and believer in dialogue that he is. He deserves nothing better than the outpouring of love that we have seen. But we must also do it in a dignified way. That is why I use the Floor of this House to truly plead with Kenyans to allow the family to mourn. I understand what Raila Jr., Rosemary, Winnie and Mama Ida are going through at this time, having gone through it just a few weeks ago. I make that plea on their behalf - allow them to mourn and give this man the great and dignified send-off that he deserves.

I mourn and celebrate Baba. Hon. Speaker, as you said yesterday, ‘Hon. Raila Odinga has left us, but long live Baba.’ His spirit and legacy live on in this country. We will honour that legacy by staying true to the ideals that he stood for - dialogue and reconciliation.

Give him two minutes.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. To conclude that, the ideals and belief and defence of our democracy, the belief in reconciliation and dialogue, but most importantly, having a strong and united country because Raila Odinga truly believed in a united and prosperous Kenya, where we all have shared prosperity. Raila Odinga truly loved this country.

For Raila to step down from his high position at times and dialogue with those he was competing with, for me, marked a great show of love for this country. For that, I honour him and we will live to remember this great man. Let us celebrate his life, even as we mourn his passing on.

May God, the Almighty, rest his soul in eternal peace and give comfort to Mama Ida, Rosemary, Winnie and Junior, the family led by his brother Senator Oburu, Ruth Odinga, who is our colleague, the entire extended Jaramogi Odinga family and their clan. As we send him off, we pray that God will comfort them and give them the consolation that only the Almighty God can give, because there is nothing that we can say here or be said in the next few days that will make them feel any better. But God Almighty will give them consolation and peace that transcends human understanding.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. May the Lord rest his soul in eternal peace.

Hon. Caroli Omondi.

Thank you very much, Rt Hon. Speaker for giving me this opportunity to mourn Rt Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga.

I learned with great sadness and profound shock of the demise of Rt Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, a man I served for more than 30 years in various capacities, as his friend, sometimes as his youth winger, lawyer and political strategist and ultimately as his Chief of Staff.

No words can ease the pain of those dearest and closest to him. His wife Nyar Gem, his daughters Akeyo and Chogo, his son Junior and the grandchildren, his brothers and sisters, the

wider Jaramogi and Odima families, and the support team around him led by Opondo. To them I say, please accept my sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathies. It has been my honour and privilege to work with Wuod Nyar Alego and all of you. I will always cherish the wonderful memories that we built with him and uphold the lessons learnt.

In mourning this great man, I will borrow the words of two great poets, whose words I believe encapsulates the life of Owad g’Akinyi, that is Rudyard Kipling and Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Nyakwar Odima could keep his head when all about him were losing theirs and blaming it on him. Agwambo could wait and not be tired of waiting. Tinga could meet triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same. Osieop Okach Chuor mon Bondo, could walk with the crowds and not lose his common touch or virtue, be with the kings, and still be a man.

I am part of all that I have met; … …Death closes all: but something ere the end, Some work of noble note, may yet be done, … …Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and tho’ We are not now that strength which in old days, Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will, To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. The goal remains within the compass of our attainment, the flames of freedom burn eternally, we will one day deliver the dream. Eternal rest grant him, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon him. May he through the mercy of God rest in peace and rise in glory. I plead that this great loss should unite us as Kenyans and not divide us. I appeal that we accord Baba's family all the support, respect, and dignity they need for comfort. Raila, the body will fade, but Raila, the spirit will never die.

Thank you very much, Hon. Speaker.

Thank you, Hon. Caroli Omondi. Was that Rudyard Kipling or WB Yeats?

There is another poem like that from WB Yeats.

Yes. Hon. Musa Sirma.

Hon. Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to pay tribute to my good friend, a man of his word who stood very strongly for Kenya.

I pass my condolences to the family, Ida, Rosemary, Junior and Winnie and the brothers and sisters of Raila. Raila has been a good friend and walked with me in the journey of politics and in all spheres in terms of the liberation of this country.

I would describe Raila as the father of all the reforms. He was the father of all those, and he suffered on behalf of all Kenyans to achieve what we have now, especially the two Chapters of the Constitution; the Bill of Rights and Devolved Government. Those two were in his heart and he believed in the Bill of Rights because he had gone through serious suffering before.

Raila did not hold any grudge against anybody. After he ran for presidential election in 1997, he agreed with Moi, who had had him detained. I asked him, are you not wrong to be

working with Moi now? He said that was history and the law at that time; that is the Constitution, and we need to get into this Government to bring reforms from inside. He came in and later became the Secretary-General of the Kenya African National Union (KANU) at that time. In the process, there were changes and favouritism in terms of the selection of the presidential flag bearer, and Raila bolted out and said, Kibaki Tosha.

In no time, we were in the opposition and life was unbearable. The only way was to bring Raila into our team so that we could fight together. At the time, he was the Minister for Roads. Raila sacrificed. We went into the 2005 Kenya Constitutional Referendum and defeated the Government. Eventually, he was removed from his docket. All the same, we decided to support Raila and he became President of Kenya, even if they did not pronounce him. The thieves themselves know that he was the President. They stole his win, but all the same, we soldiered on.

Raila was a person who did not keep grudges in his heart. He would forgive even those who tormented him. But finally, he could come up as a successful person and ashame even those who tormented him. As we were moving all along, Raila never forgot that there was somebody called Musa Sirma. Every time he was in Nakuru, he would always have lunch in my house. We would continuously enjoy the good relationship we had.

I remember even the great times when there was conflict after the 2007 general election. Before the handshake, Raila was in my house. I took him to the airport and in two hours, the handshake was on. We were there because we wanted him not to be harmed by anybody. I was a great friend and he trusted me.

Those who have worked with Raila believe what I am saying. He was down to earth and loved everybody no matter how bad you mistreated him. He was a great man. Never will Kenya have a great man like this because he stood for justice, he stood for the welfare of Kenyans and he suffered on behalf of Kenyans.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Zamzam Chimba.

Hon. Speaker, this is my tribute to the enigma, the son of the soil, Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. He was a powerful man, and a powerful man has just rested. A lion has returned to the mountain. The storm has stilled but the thunder of his footsteps will echo for generations. The sun rose heavy with sorrow. The skies paused in reverence and the lands weep. Not just Kenya but Africa and the world at large because a man like Raila Amolo Odinga does not die. No, he transcends. He takes a break, a half time. A warrior rests after decades on the front line of justice, democracy and the dreams of a nation.

Raila was never just a politician. He was a movement, a rhythm in our national heartbeat, a voice that thundered in parliament, whispered in prison cells and sang from the streets of Kibera to the hearts of millions of Kenyans. His was a life powered out fully, completely in service of a better Kenya. He was imprisoned, vilified, betrayed but never broken. He was never silent and never afraid. He stood tall not because he sought power, but because he was power. The kind that flows from conviction, sacrifice and unshakeable belief that Kenya could be more. He bore the weight of history and still had room to carry the hopes of the youth, the forgotten, the voiceless.

Hon. Speaker, and even in the harshest political storms, Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga remained the eye, calm, focused and unyielding. To say he is gone feels dishonest, because a man like Raila cannot be harassed by time or death. His fingerprints are on our Constitution. His footsteps are in our polling stations. His fire lives on every Kenyan who dares to speak the truth to power. Raila Amolo Odinga is the whisper in the wind that says freedom is near, keep walking. Hon. Speaker, yes, Raila Amolo Odinga has just taken a half-time break and when

the history books are written with honesty, his name will not just appear in the margins, but it will command the headlines. Fare thee well, Baba Raila Amolo Odinga. As you always sang,

Down the way where the nights are gay And the sun shines daily on the mountaintop, I took a trip on a sailing ship, And when I reached Jamaica, I made a stop, But I’m sad to say I am on my way, Won't be back for many a day, My heart is down, my head is spinning around, I had to leave a little girl in Kingston Town. Go well, Baba Raila Amolo Oding and to those who wished Baba Raila Amolo Odinga death, Baba is gone. Wamaua, Wamunyoro , we will ever, we will ever think about that. Baba, rest well. Baba, rest well. I am crying because he is my father. He has raised me politically. He held my hand.

Order, Hon. Zamzam Chimba. First, I did not know you spoke such good English because you always speak in Kiswahili. On that note, well done, but you have ended badly. I had advised the House that I will not allow anybody to deviate into parochial politics.

Order, Mama Zamzam. You are normally a very decent lady and I want you to maintain it that way. Do not be tempted to slip into what you are not.

Hon. Cherorot.

Thank you. Thank you, Hon. Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to condole with the family of the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. The greatest glory in living, Hon. Speaker, lies not in never falling, but rising every time we fall. Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga was a man of his own type. We are going to miss him, especially in the political arena.

He is the type of person we admired his type of living and also the way he did his politics. At times, you could feel or you could see that he was down politically, but that is the time that he was strong. He worked with several governments, starting from the time of Moi to Kibaki and Uhuru. Recently, he came in and joined the Broad-based Government. Initially, we heard him talking about Canaan. And when he was campaigning, he told Kenyans that he would take them to Canaan. Let me say that his merger with the Kenya Kwanza and also the Broad-based, was Canaan. We have lost a hero and a leader. To his family, we condole with you and we pray with you.

Hon. Speaker, I came to know about Raila during the burial of the late Moses Kiprono, who was the Speaker here. When we talked, he explained to me that he went to Germany to study with Moses Kiprono. They used a ship to get there. He stated to me that it was not easy because it was hard life in the sea. Even though he was the son of the first Vice-President, he lived his own life, he did his own politics, and he made his own name. I condole with the family of ODM because he made many leaders.

True leadership is not having so many followers but creating more leaders. That is what Raila has done in this country. He was a storyteller, and in most cases, he could even use football to explain about politics. I am also an Arsenal supporter. One time, I was watching Arsenal team at Serena Hotel while eating my groundnuts. All of a sudden, someone came and joined me to my left side and also started eating my groundnuts. That was a man, Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. Hon. Speaker, as we said in the morning, he concentrated for 90 minutes until the match ended. That is when he greeted me. I want to say we have lost a hero.

I believe Arsenal won.

Yes, Arsenal won. I am happy, Hon. Speaker, because you are also a supporter of Arsenal, but of late we have to do something about it.

Then you are not a true supporter. We are on top of the league.

Hon. Speaker, let me also add that Hon. Raila Odinga was a very intelligent man. During the time of President Kibaki, under the leadership of the Party of National Unity (PNU) , he exposed the story of Artur Margaryan and Sargsyan. In this, he was also a whistle-blower. We will truly miss him. Fare thee well, Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga.

Thank you, Hon. Cherorot. Let us have Hon. John Paul Mwirigi.

Ahsante sana, Mhe. Spika. Kwa niaba yangu, familia yangu na wananchi wa Igembe Kusini, najiunga na wananchi wa taifa hili kutoa risala za rambirambi kwa familia ya marehemu Raila Odinga. Itakumbukwa kwamba Mhe. Raila alipigania pakubwa kupatikana kwa Katiba mpya ambayo inanufaisha Wakenya wote. Mhe. Raila alipenda Wakenya wote wahudumiwe na wapate maendeleo. Hakujihusisha na mambo ya kikabila. Alipenda wananchi wote ndiposa akajitolea.

Mhe. Raila alifungwa kifungo kirefu na sio kwa sababu yake, bali ili wananchi wa taifa hili wawe huru na wapate demokrasia. Wananchi leo wana uhuru wa kusema chochote kinachowafinya. Haya yalipatikana kwa sababu Mhe. Raila alisimama kidete na kusema kwamba lazima wananchi wasikizwe na wawe huru. Itakumbukwa pia kwamba Mhe. Raila Odinga hakuwa mtu wa chuki na alikuwa anasamehea pale akitendewa jambo baya. Kama viongozi, ninaomba tuige mfano wa Mhe. Raila Odinga aliyeonyesha kwamba Wakenya wanaweza kuishi kwa amani na upendo. Mhe. Raila alikuwa mtetezi aliyetaka Wakenya wote wawe na usawa. Alihakikisha kuwa pande zote katika taifa hili zinazingatiwa kwa usawa wakati wa maendeleo. Mhe. Raila alikuza viongozi wengi; aliwalea na kuwafanya kubobea katika sekta ya uongozi.

Mhe. Spika, tumeona yaliyotendeka kutoka asubuhi, wakati mwili wake ulifikishwa hapa nchini. Wananchi kutoka pembe zote za nchi hii wanaomboleza kuondokewa na Mhe. Raila. Langu ni kuombea roho ya mwenda zake Mhe. Raila Odinga. Mungu aiweke roho yake mahali pema anapoweka watakatifu wake.

Ahsante sana, Mhe. Spika.

Yes, Hon. Chonga.

Hon. Speaker. I need clarification on whether we have a specific dress code tomorrow. I understand that we will not be in the Chamber.

Hon. Chonga, if we are wearing black today to honour Baba, tomorrow is an even more important day, and tradition requires it. Please wear black. I will wear black. This is not for seven days but tomorrow is the national day of mourning. The State funeral will be conducted tomorrow and so, make every effort. It will be good if we all wear black with ribbons as a House. Please remember that yours truly here and the Prime Minister joined this House on the same day in 1992, and we must honour him as our hero. Hon. Omar Mwinyi, please wear black tomorrow.

Let us have Hon. Richard Yegon.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. On my behalf, and on behalf of my family and the great people of Bomet East, I would like to convey my

condolences to the family of the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga. We have lost a truly democratic hero in our country. He will be remembered as a serious statesman who served this country and the world at large. I urge everyone, including the younger generation, to emulate the leadership of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga. Throughout the history of this country, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga demonstrated that the nation is more important than any individual. In all his years in politics, he collaborated with successive governments, including the current one, showing a commitment to unity until his passing. We need more leaders who can emulate him and ensure the country remains at peace, even during challenges like those we have faced recently. If it were not for his leadership, Kenya might not be in safe hands today. We appreciate his leadership.

He also demonstrated resilience and many of us have sought to emulate his example for the betterment of the country. He will remain a prominent figure in the history of Kenya and Africa at large. May the grace of our Lord give the family of Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga strength. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Give Hon. Ruweida Obo the microphone.

Ahsante, Mhe. Spika. Sisi Waislamu tunasema kwamba kila nafsi lazima ionje mauti, na Kibajuni tunasema kwamba ya mungu hayana uchungu. Ninakushukuru kwa kunipa nafasi hii kutoa rambirambi kwa familia ya Baba Raila Amolo Odinga kwa niaba yangu, familia yangu na watu wangu wa Lamu Mashariki. Tunampatia pole Mama Ida, watoto wake, ndugu zake, na undugu wa Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) na ule wa broad-based government. Kwa hakika, ‘Baba’ alikuwa baba wa watu wote. Hakuwacha hata jamii zilizotengwa.

Baba alinishangaza sana wakati nilipokuwa simuungi mkono na niko katika Chama cha siasa cha Jubilee, walipokuwa bado hawajapeana mkono. Nilishangaa nilipoenda kwa mkutano akawa anajua sababu simuungi. Pale nilipomuamkua akawaambia watu wengine kuwa huyu haniungi kwa sababu lazima akuwe kwa Serikali. Nikashangaa simuungi mkono lakini bado ananijua na bado sijajieleza. Akanishangaza tena mara nyingine wakati waliungana na tukaingia katika Muungano wa Azimio La Umoja, tulipokuwa tunatafuta kura, alikuwa anataka kwenda sehemu zile ambazo kuna watu wengi lakini nilipigiwa simu nikaambiwa Baba leo anakuja Lamu Mashariki. Nilidhani tutafanya mkutano mmoja kisha tumalize campaign. Akaja kwangu Lamu Mashariki kwenye watu wachache. Nilishangaa sana mpaka nikauliza, Baba kweli anaweze kuja huku? Akaja akatufanyia siasa. Baba ni mtu wa maajabu. Hatutamsahau kwa mema mengi ambayo ameyafanya na mazuri ambayo ameyafanya kushikanisha nchi yetu. Hatutasahau mazuri yake.

Nataka pia nimpe pole Rais wetu mpendwa Mhe. (Dkt) William Samoei Ruto na pia tumshukuru kwa kutupatia nafasi ya kumzika Baba yetu kwa njia ya heshima kubwa kwa mazishi ya kitaifa. Tunamshukuru sana. Mhe. Spika nimeshangazwa na sisi wanasiasa. Kumbe sisi ni watu wamoja na tunashikana. Ni sarakasi tu huwa tunafanya. Sasa hivi utaona wanasiasa wote wameshikana na wako pamoja. Lakini wakati huo huo ukipatana nje, utadhani sisi ni maadui na labda hao ni wengine. Kumbe ni sarakasi tu tunafanyia wananchi. Tunafaa kuendeleza huu umoja na tusiwe tukifanya watu wapigane kwa sababu yetu. Tuchukue mafunzo ya Baba aliyotupatia na Inshallah tuendelee nayo. Kwake wakati wote ilikuwa ni umoja na amani ndio bora kwake.

Mhe. Spika, mimi kwa hakika ilikuwa sijui kama nampenda Baba hivi. Mimi sikuwa karibu naye sana lakini nasikia uzito kwenye moyo wangu na nimesikitika sana. Nawahurumia mpaka wale wenzangu waliokuwa karibu na yeye wakipigiana simu; kina Mhe. Mishi Mboko. Nawahurumia. Ikiwa mimi nasikia uzito hivyo, nyinyi mwasikia vipi? Tuombe Mwenyezi Mungu pale Baba amewacha pengo, Inshallah izibike.

Sisi kama jamii wenye tumetengwa, tunaomba Serikali, kwa kuwa mtetezi wetu ameondoka. Lakini ninajua Mhe. Rais William Ruto atatushikilia Inshallah na anaendelea kutushikilia. Nasema pole sana kwa familia na Mungu ailaze pahali pema roho yake. Ahsante.

Hon. Mishi Mboko.

Ahsante sana Mhe. Spika. Nina majonzi na nimetamautishwa sana na msiba mkubwa ambao umetukumba katika taifa letu la Kenya. Ni msiba ambao umetuchukulia kiongozi shujaa, ambaye ni wa kuleta amani katika taifa letu la Kenya. Kiongozi ambaye aliangalia Kenya na akaiweka kwa mstari wa mbele kuliko nafsi yake. Nafikiria mimi na wewe; lakini wewe mwenzangu utakuwa ulimjua zaidi lakini tumekuwa katika matukio ya mapambano ya kupigania haki za kimsingi za taifa letu la Kenya. Haki za binadamu, wewe ukiwemo na mimi nikiwa katika mapambano kama yale. Nilimjua Mhe. Raila nikiwa msichana na mpaka sasa nimekuwa shushu lakini namtambua sana. Katika maisha yake mengi ameyatumikia katika kuleta mageuzi kwa hili taifa. Najua tulikuwa na chama kimoja lakini yeye pamoja na viongozi wengine walipambana kwa dhati sana mpaka tukaweka vyama vingi ndiposa leo tunaona kuna Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) , FORD-Kenya, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) na vyama vingine. Pia kwa utetezi wa demokrasia, Mhe. Raila alikuwa mstari wa mbele pasi na kwamba aliweza kuteswa na kuwekwa korokoroni na kupewa kifungo cha miaka mingi sana. Hata mkewe Mama Ida ambaye naambia pole sana pamoja na familia yake, ikafika nyakati akaweza kufutwa kazi mahali alipokuwa anafanya kwa sababu tu mumewe alikuwa katika upande unaopinga mambo mabaya yaliyokuwa yanatendwa na utawala uliokuwa wakati huo, utawala wa kiimla. Tumeona Baba Raila akipigania Katiba mpya. Tulikuwa na Katiba ambayo ilikuwa ya kiimla, Katiba ambayo haikuwa ni sauti ya Mkenya, ndiposa wakaanzisha vuguvugu la kuleta Katiba mpya, ambayo Wanjiku aliongea, Adhiambo aliongea, Nekesa aliongea na Kadzo pia aliongea. Katiba hii iliweza kutuwezesha sisi kina mama kupata nafasi zile arubaini na saba ambazo kina mama wanapigania na anaweza kuwakilisha hapa kwa Bunge la Kitaifa. Niseme Baba alikuwa kipenzi wa makundi yaliyotengwa, wakiwemo akina mama, walemavu na pia wale watu wazima.

Mhe. Spika, Baba hakuwa mkabila na wewe unamtambua zaidi kwa sababu alikwa kiongozi wako na mlikuwa pamoja wakati mmoja wote mkiwa vinara katika vyama vyenu na tukiwa katika mwongozo ule wa National Super Alliance (NASA) . Tukiangalia hapa Bungeni tunamuona dada yetu Mhe. Irene Mayaka aliyeteuliwa na Chama cha ODM cha chungwa; chama cha Baba. Hata dadangu Mhe. Umulkher anayetoka upande ule wa wafugaji, yeye pia aliteuliwa na Chama cha chungwa; chama cha Baba. Ndugu yangu Mhe. Kipchumba ambaye ni mlemavu, pia alichaguliwa na Baba. Alikuwa si mkabila na alipigania sana kuondoa ukabila, ndiposa unaona wakati mmoja kinara naibu wake alikuwa Mhe. Ali Hassan Joho kutoka kule Pwani. Sasa hivi pia wale vinara wa Chama cha Chungwa, wadogo wake tunaona tuna Mhe. Simba Arati, Mhe. Osotsi na Mhe. Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir. Alikuwa kiongozi aliyeonyesha ya kwamba hakutaka ukabila na alikuwa na imani na niliiona wakati tulipokuwa katika mambo ya PENTAGON kwa Chama cha Chungwa. Wakati wa uchaguzi wa 2007/2008 wakati fujo na ghasia zilipozuka, watu wakapigani, damu ya wakenya ikamwagika, nilikuwa katika baraza kuu la Chama cha Chungwa tukaitwa mkutano. Nakumbuka Baba akitoa machozi akisema:

“Hapana! Siwezi kuoni akina mama wanakatwakatwa, watoto wanauawa, kama pale Kiambaa. Hapana lazima tumalize hii maneno. Lazima tulete amani katika taifa la Kenya”. Wakati huo kuna wengine waliokuwa na roho ngumu ya kusema kwamba hatuwezi kuwachilia. Lazima tupate utawala wa taifa la Kenya. Lakini Baba alisema tuangalie Kenya, kina mama, watoto na tuangalie kizazi kijacho. Basi wakaweza kuingia katika mkataba wakati Mhe. Koffi Annan alipofika katika taifa la Kenya.

Mhe. Spika: Mpatie nusu dakika. Mhe. Mishi Mboko (Likoni, ODM): Nataka niseme pia Baba ni baba wa ugatuzi. Sasa hivi tunaona maendeleo kochokocho mashinani mwetu, kwenye majimbo yetu. Hii ni sababu ya kuleta ugatuzi na ugatuzi umetusaidia sana. Baba pia aliweza kushikana na Mhe. Dkt. William Ruto kuleta amani katika taifa la Kenya, na niseme muungano huu wa vigogo hawa wawili umeleta amani katika taifa la Kenya. Mwenda zake amekwenda, lakini Mhe. Ruto yuko. Tushikilie vilevile na viongozi wengine tushikane ile taifa letu lisonge mbele na tuwe na amani na maendeleo na vizazi vyetu viweze kukua, Kenya tuiboreshe iwe katika anga zile za nchi zimestawi. Tusiwe ni nchi ambayo bado iko chini katika nyanja za uongozi. Ninasema umoja wetu kama taifa uwe ni nguzo yetu na kifo cha Baba kiwe ni funzo ya kwamba, umoja wetu ni muhimu. Watu walisema kwa nini Baba amekwenda na kwa nini Baba amekubaliana. Lakini aliona mbele. Alijua kwamba wakati wake pengine hauko mbali na ni lazima watu wangu na Wakenya tuwaweke pamoja na hiyo ndio tunaita uongozi. Watu kukaa pamoja na si kutugawanya kwa njia ya ukabila ama kwa njia nyingine za kutupiganisha kama taifa la Kenya. Kifo hiki kitupatie funzo sisi kama Wakenya. Tudumishe amani, Ukenya na Uafrika katika Bara letu la Afrika.

Ahsante sana, Mhe. Spika. Pole sana pia kwa sababu alikuwa rafiki yako wa karibu sana katika mapambano ya kuleta mageuzi katika taifa la Kenya.

Thank you, Hon. Mishi. Hon. Melly.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. On my own behalf and that of the people of Tinderet, I take this opportunity to convey my condolences to the family of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, the larger Odinga family, Kenyans, ODM and the leadership of this country for the loss of our great patriot. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga was a giant or colossus of this nation. He touched the lives of almost every Kenyan in one way or another.

When I came to this House in 2013, I was given an opportunity by the Office of the Speaker of the National Assembly to travel with Hon. Raila to London to launch a book, ‘Just for Today: The Life and Times of Jean-Marie Seroney’ which is a biography of Jean-Marie Seroney. I got an opportunity to stay with him in the same hotel. I learnt that he had a lot of passion for nationalism, good leadership, governance, transparency and accountability. We launched the book written by Godfrey Sang. I sat, and with keenness, I learnt a lot from this great fallen hero of Kenya.

For many Kenyans, Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga was a President who was not the President. He was a leader behind the leadership of this country. From the tenure of President Moi, President Kibaki, President Uhuru, and now President Ruto, we saw his trace in every leadership that run through his time for almost 40 years.

I thank you, Hon. Speaker, because you were very close to him. The kind of wisdom that you give this House and the one Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga gave mentored and nurtured hundreds of politicians in this country. They owe their political life almost directly to Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, in terms of teachings, political tutelage and, more importantly, in terms of taking them in a particular direction.

Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga is the father of our Constitution today. Hon. Speaker, Hon. Odinga, President Kibaki, President Ruto and many others sat down to bring the Constitution

he lost in the elections, he knew Kenya was bigger than him. He could sit and agree with the winners and say: Let this go, and let us have Kenya.

As leaders from our local, county and national levels, we need to learn from him. Kenya is bigger than all of us. We need to listen to one another. Political differences do not allow us to tear a nation apart. When things were difficult in 2008, he formed a Government with President Kibaki. This also happened in 2013, 2018 and more recently, he sat down, under difficulties, with President Ruto. I urge this nation, the leadership of this House and leaders to learn from this great man.

When you look at the political parties and their philosophies in this country, ODM has withstood a lot of challenges. It is because of the philosophy, leadership and the grassroots mobilisation that this man had for all of us. On my behalf and that of the people of Tinderet and Nandi County at large, we mourn a great person. The only thing that we will give this country is to stay united and move forward as one nation under the Broad-based Government.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker.

Hon. Andrew Okuome. Hon. Gideon Ochanda.

Why is he still on the screen? Hon. Njoki Mrembo. You said I should follow the screen. I am following it.

Clerk-at-the-Table, bump off the screen those Members I have called out like Hon. Ochanda and Hon. Okuome, so that we give room for others to appear.

Go on, Hon. Njoki.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. On my own behalf, my family and the people of Bahati Constituency, I would like to convey my heartfelt condolences to Mama Ida Odinga, Rosemary Odinga, Raila Junior, Winnie Odinga, my colleagues, Hon. Ruth Odinga and Hon. Oburu Oginga; the larger Odinga family and ODM fraternity at large.

I am honoured to tell you that we collaborated with Hon. Raila Odinga in 2022. When I was vying under the Jubilee Party in Nakuru County as the Member for Bahati, Hon. Odinga took my hand and supported me. I remember his courage and conviction qualities that helped shape the cornerstone of our democracy.

I remember when we would finish campaigns in Nakuru County, Hon. Raila Odinga would tell his bodyguard to take care of me because I was the only woman around there. He devoted his life to the pursuit of freedom, justice and equality, and holding on to his principles even in the face of adversity and solitude. His remarkable journey remains an enduring testament that genuine leadership is not defined by authority, but by sacrifice and vision. We, as Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition, were waiting at KICC for the general elections results. When we realised that he had lost, he told us: “We have not finished the race. There is always a next time.”

Hon. Raila’s advocacy for equitable resources distribution, empowerment of marginalised communities and unity across ethnic lines cemented his status as a statesman beyond politics. Despite never holding the presidency, he influenced every administration through his vision of fair, democratic and inclusive Kenya.

We shared meals many times at the Legend Hotel and Hon. Joho's home. I will forever remember that sometimes when we could not get committee allocations, as the Jubilee Party, I would run to Baba. He would give instructions that I needed to be taken care of. That is how I became a member of the Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works, and a slot as Vice-Chairperson of Public Debt and Privatisation Committee.

I will forever remember Baba. I will miss him. May Baba's soul rest in peace. Ahsante.

Hon. Martin Owino.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. It is indeed a sad moment for us who joined politics because of the admiration of character and charisma of Jakom. My first contact was through my father, Chief Owino, who was a good friend of Jaramogi. We used to relate. Later on, we became very cosy and had a very warm relationship with Jakom. He used to call me Wuod Chief and I used to call him Jakom.

When he visited me in Boston, he said something very interesting, because I used to host him there to talk to Kenyans. He said: "If you cannot do what brought you here in ten years, come back home." And I did. After some time, I came to vie. There is a phrase in the Bible, when Moses died, he charged Joshua: "Be strong and of good courage to finish the work." That charge is also on all of us as Members of Parliament. Raila stood for serious virtues of life, as well as ideals and principles. In fact, he had to spine up in many ways to get through what he wanted to go through.

We are charged to do the same; to love our country. Raila loved Kenya and could do anything to make Kenya go ahead. Even at death, he willed that his funeral be as short as possible to let Kenyans go ahead with their lives. Jakom had a forgiving spirit. He used to tell us: "Politics, you do not need to put in the system. Just breathe it in and out." And that is why he had no enemies. He did not consider opponents as enemies to be maimed or killed. Out of that, we have had many reconciliations in this country which we should admire. Patriotism could be written in so many books out of Raila, but allow me to quote C. Maxwell, who said—

“A true leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” On behalf of myself, my family, and the great people of Ndhiwa, we will miss Jakom a lot because he used to pay us visits and just talk. One thing we will miss is his history and stories. At a sitting level, you would feel very warm and comfortable when you were talking with Jakom. To Mama Ida, I will ask that you open your heart to Revelation 21:4, which says:

“Only God will wipe all our tears when the time comes.” I want to wish the same to Winnie, Rosemary, Adhiambo Odinga, Senator Odinga and the entire family. You have lost an umbrella that no one can replace but God alone. To this end, I say, fare thee well, Jakom. The body will be interred, but the spirit remains, and the principles that you stood for, we will practise in Jesus' name.

Hon. Japheth Nyakundi.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I wish to convey my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of Hon. Odinga, Mama Ida, Rosemary, Winnie, Raila Junior, my colleagues Ruth Odinga and Oburu Odinga. Today, as we mourn and condole with the family, we also celebrate the life of a man well lived, a man who fought for multi-party democracy, a man who fought for social justice in this country, and a man who fought for good governance in this country. As a country, we celebrate him because if it were not for him, he nurtured so many young people and so many leaders in this country.

I was not very lucky to be nurtured by him directly, but I was lucky to be nurtured by him indirectly, because he nurtured President William Ruto, who has also nurtured me. I can clearly say I have been nurtured by him indirectly. I remember the other day when he was running to be the African Union Chairmanship, I managed to have a good conversation with him, together with his sister Ruth Odinga and President William Ruto, for about four hours. For sure, Raila Odinga was one man who was very intelligent, with very good stories. He was one person who was very patriotic and who loved this country with a lot of passion. That time, he told me about the issues to do with the Gen Zs. He had an opportunity to take advantage of the issues to do with Gen Zs, but he decided this country is bigger than all of us, and chose to step in and work with President William Samoei Ruto, to save this country. He thought if this country goes down, we do not have any other country, this being the only country that we have, and we have to safeguard it.

This has been seen all the time he has lost elections. From 2007 to 2013, to 2017 and to 2022. He has always extended a hand to Kenyans when we need him. He has always been patriotic to this country. We, as leaders of this country, have a lot to learn from him that we need to be united; that we need always to come together as a country; and that we need to always work together as a people so that we can move forward together. We will remember Raila Amolo Odinga for fighting for devolution in this country. If it were not for him, today we would not be having governors, senators and women representatives. He fought for devolution to the last minute. He made sure that devolution works, that resources follow functions, and that county governments thrive.

Once upon a time, we did not know we would have governors or county governments. We appreciate, and he will be remembered forever for the work he has done for the people of this country. On my own behalf, on behalf of the people of Kitutu Chache North, and on behalf of the entire UDA fraternity, we tell the Odinga family and the ODM family pole, and the whole country pole sana. We will live to remember the king. We will live to remember Raila Amolo Odinga. God bless you.

Hon. Stephen Mule.

Thank you, Hon. Speaker. On behalf of myself, my family, the people of Matungulu Constituency, and the entire Kamba Nation, I want to bring my condolences to the family of the late Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. Some of us who have been with Raila since we joined this Parliament, including yourself, have a lot to say. As Hon. Pukose talked in the morning, there was a trip we did in 2014 to Dakhla in Morocco with Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, and that is the time I realised what kind of person Dr Raila Amolo Odinga was.

When we were in Dakhla, there was no hotel. All of us stayed in a tent inside the Atlantic Ocean. Raila and the late Hon. Chris Kirubi came in the afternoon and they decided to stay with us in the tents. It was such a touching moment for us. We could not believe that a person of his stature would stay with us in the tent for two good days. He took care of us. He was booked in first class when we were flying back to the country through Dubai. He left the seat in first class and came to stay with us in business class. That is a kind of person who shows that he could fit in any situation or calamity. With very heavy hearts, we want to say pole sana to Mama Ida, Winnie, Junior and the entire Raila family. Mzee, lala salama. Tutaonana, panapo, majaliwa ya Mwenyezi Mungu.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Member of Parliament of Migori County, Hon. Fatuma Mohammed.

Give me the microphone,

Hon. Members, we will go by the list in terms of the order of request. I have given Hon. Fatuma ‘the full network’ and the recognition she needs. Let us allow her to proceed.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker.

Hon. Members, this is a very solemn occasion for us. Why do we not give each of us the honour to have our say, to eulogise Baba, and also save time so that we can speak as fast as possible?

Baba referred to all female politicians as girl child, regardless of their age. When I questioned him why he was picking groundnuts one at a time, he told me: ‘This is how you need to choose your choices and friends. Do not pick them randomly; pick one at a time.” When he finished eating, he left a few pieces of groundnuts. He told me: ‘Look, girl child, these are the ones I did not need. I took the ones that I needed.”

I spoke to him three days before his death, through Mama Ida’s phone. Mama Ida called me and said: ‘Baba is asking for you! Come here and talk to him.” He told me, laughing, that: “Girl child, nyathi ma nyako? Tell the country that I am safe.” I said: “Baba, are you honest?” He said: “You can hear from my voice. I am very fine. Tell the Migori people and other Kenyans I love them.” He also told me: “Ignore the rumours. Remember, I was picking groundnuts. Pick what you want to hear. Do not hear everything.”

Baba was a courageous man. He loved lifting others. I do not know any other politician who will ever hold women's hands as Baba did. It is only the ODM Party through Baba that women who are in power today, through the ODM ticket, were given direct nomination. No other party would have done that. Baba believed in women. He believed in us. Oh Allah, you have done what you felt was best. But you know what we are going through. If in our mourning, oh Allah, we have offended you in any way, please forgive us. We are sincerely requesting you. Baba never had peace in this world, fighting for Kenyans and Africa. Please Allah, today, give Baba peace. Please put him in the right place where he deserves to be. Please give him all

the best you can, Allah. Give him all your best malaika to take care of him. For he was a good man. We testify down here that we loved him. He was a good man.

To the family of Raila Odinga, we are a large family, not by blood only, but by...

Give Hon. Fatuma one minute for the interruption.

Thank you. Yes, Allah, I am still with you, requesting peace for Baba. To my fellow Kenyans, there is no other man who would sacrifice for his family and country as Baba. To us politicians who are left down here, I know no one can fit into Baba's shoes, but by any means possible, please just try and do the best that Baba taught us. Baba left us in peace. He never left us in pieces.

As we are looking forward to 2027, if you truly loved and honoured Baba, please maintain the peace that he has left behind. That are the only riches that he has carried to heaven. For all your wealth you live down, but the peace that you have granted the creatures of Allah, you carry with you. For that, peace will give him peace in heaven. We love you so much, Baba. But you lied, you said you were coming back. You told me you would come back on Friday. You have never lied, but this one you lied. I love you, Baba.

Sorry, we share in your pain, Hon. Fatuma. Hon. Phylis Bartoo.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to eulogise Raila Amolo Odinga. On my behalf, my family and the people of Moiben Constituency, I say pole to the family of Raila: Mama Ida, Winnie, Rose and Junior. Raila was a man of many titles. He was a trailblazer and peacemaker. He was like a book. In that book, he has gone. It will remain in our libraries and hearts. We will learn through the generations to come. His legacy lives on.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, allow me to voice my eulogy through a poem by the late Kenyan poet Jonathan Kariara titled Grass Will Grow. The first stanza reads:

“If you should take my child Lord Give my hands strength to dig his grave Cover him with earth Lord send a little rain For grass will grow” I know it is a very difficult time for Kenya, and specifically, for the family of the late Hon. Raila Odinga, the ODM party, Kenya and Africa at large. Raila was the crème de la crème of our society. He was the best. There will be no other like him.

Rest in peace and dance with the angels. Amen

Hon. Mwinyi.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to eulogise our fallen hero, Raila Amolo Odinga.

I met Raila in the early 1990s during the advent of multiparty politics. I also worked with his father, the doyen of opposition politics, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. The two had two things in common, namely, bravery and courage. In his old age, Jaramogi Odinga was a very courageous and brave old man, and so was Raila. I worked with him in the early 1990s when multiparty politics were being introduced into the country. He instilled courage in us and made heroes out of ordinary people.

Our fallen hero was a simple, courageous, inspirational, fierce and outgoing man. He was knowledgeable, friendly and jovial. He was well-read and he loved free expression. One thing about him that we also need to emulate was his ability to exercise every day, which kept him fit. He knew how to dress according to the occasion. He never read any written speeches, save for official functions. He never read any written speeches during ordinary gatherings. He would leave people happy and satisfied.

He lived in the hearts of people. Women would tell him, “Tunakupenda bure!”, which when translated means, “We love you for free!” That is evident in what is happening today. The late Kijana Wamalwa once described Raila as a man who was loved and hated in equal measure. Wherever he went, even during his free time, if he met a crowd, the crowd would demand that he addresses them. This happened even with those who were opposed to his politics. They wanted him to address them. He was loved although some areas did not vote for him.

One good thing about Raila was that he never hated anybody. He would attend weddings and funerals in the Mount Kenya region where he never got any votes. He was very friendly. He had a lawyer called Paul Mwangi. Those of us who did not understand him would always ask him why he kept a lawyer whose tribe did not vote for him, but he would never give us any response. He maintained his friends.

He was a simple politician, but a complicated one as well. Most politicians worry about what they say so as not to lose votes. Hon. Raila would speak his mind irrespective of whatever would happen. A case in point was when we met him on the issue of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF).

We can learn a few lessons from him.

I fully understand that your relationship with the former Prime Minister was very special and, therefore, I will give you an additional minute. Please, give Hon. Mwinyi the microphone. You have 30 seconds to conclude your contribution.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I urge President Ruto to ensure that everybody in this country feels that Baba led us to Canaan. We are now in Government and we should feel that Baba took us to Canaan.

I urge the members of the ODM Party not to be loose cannons. Any utterances that can make our membership lose focus will be detrimental to the party. Let us be very cautious and remain a national party, which is loved in every part of this country. No member should make statements at this time which can make us jittery. I saw something posted on social media today to the effect that once Baba is buried, ODM would disintegrate. That should not be the spirit of any ODM member. We should stay united and focused.

With those few remarks, I extend my condolences to the entire Odinga family, the ODM fraternity, Kenya, East Africa, and the rest of Africa. Our neighbouring countries feared Raila because of his influence. Today, we have Tundu Lissu, who has been jailed in Tanzania. We also have Kizza Besigye in Uganda. Those leaders came up as a result of Baba’s influence. That is why our neighbouring countries were not in favour of Raila.

Hon. David Ochieng’.

Thank you very much, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I wish Hon. Raila had lived longer. He was such a blessed man, who immensely blessed our country and people. He blessed me too. His life is synonymous with Kenya’s history. His struggles were our struggles. His triumphs and victories were our triumphs and

victories. Raila was committed to the deep democratic ideals of devolution and the rule of law. He believed in a better Kenya, which became his lifelong pursuit and endeavour.

When Raila clenched his fist and called us to action, the country stood still. When Raila called us to action, the country followed in unison. Hon. Raila personified the best of our country. He was our moral compass. He spearheaded many “handshakes”, which brought our country from the brink and the abyss Most of the time his handshakes saved the country from the abyss. Although I ran a party, Hon. Raila was my inspiration. Raila was magnetic; Raila was infectious, Raila was humorous and so humble that for a long time, I avoided sitting with him for one hour because I feared that if I sat with him because of stories he would regale me with, stories of war, of conquest, of how the country had grown, I would tell him that if I sat with him, I would easily go back to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). So, I would not sit with Raila for long because I feared that he would convince me to fold up my party and go back.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, Raila was so unassuming. He loved everybody and was approachable. Hon. Raila was an institution. I always said that he was extra-legal and extra- judicial. He was a fourth arm of government because when he decided to give us a holiday, we would get one; if he said the Parliament will pass a Bill without a coma or a full stop, we would do so. Sometimes, his word was law.

Hon. Raila Odinga was a pan-Africanist. He bestrode the region like a colossus. He mentored and taught many. He cared for many and led with grace. He did not have an iron fist. So, although he goes home, all of us wished that he would have lived longer and be with us here longer.

Like all human beings, he had his frailties, fallibility, hopes had fears. He was weighed down with the vice of corruption that ailed our country. He was bogged down with tribalism that had become a cancer, killing our country.

When videos came out the other day, I saw him walking in India. I could imagine him walking with his normal gait, stamping one foot after the other, hoping for the best, hoping to return to his beloved country, keep building the country and keep giving us hope. I dare say that had Hon. Raila died without making peace with His Excellency President William Ruto, we would not have sat in this Parliament today. He loved this country so much, he was never power hungry and he never sought to be president by force.

Hon. Raila was a very interesting man. He is the only one who could swear himself into power and go back to his house without being arrested. It tells us who he was. Kenyans loved him and no policeman would dare arrest him. I started my politics under him. I became a Member of Parliament for the first time under ODM. I forever will be thankful to him for watching my politics.

To his family, the Luo nation, the country at large, Mama Ida, Madam Rosemary, Raila Odinga Junior and Madam Winnie, we pray that God comforts them and that God gives them .…

Thank you very much. I give you 30 seconds and let it be 30 seconds for real.

That may the Lord give the family peace. May we emulate Hon. Raila in our lives. Go well, baba Fidel. Go well, Baba. Jowi, Jowi. Thank you so much.

Hon George Sunkuyia, Member for Kajiando West.

Hon. Temporary Speaker. The Temporary Speaker (Hon. (Dr) Rachael Nyamai) : Hon. Members, I can hear people asking me what Jowi means. Hon. Ochieng put it in quotes and so, I believe that it is relevant to the subject matter of today. So, it is allowed to pass. Continue, Hon. Sunkuyia.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. My family, the people of Kajiado West Constituency, the entire Kajiado County and I, convey my condolences with profound sadness. I learnt of the passing on of the enigma former Prime Minister Hon. Raila Odinga, a leader whose unwavering dedication to democracy, social justice and unity inspired countless individuals and shaped the trajectory of this country with sadness.

Hon. Raila Odinga stood firm to defend, to protect the people of this country, to unite us as Kenyans and even small communities. When political tension arose, the person that needed to calm the country is Hon. Raila Odinga.

I came to know Raila in 2002 when I ran for my first election as a councillor of Keekonyoike in Kajiado North Constituency, and when the late President Moi declared Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta the KANU candidate for president, Hon. Raila declared the Kibaki tosha. That was the first time I came to know Hon. Raila Odinga.

In 2002, he mobilised Kenyans against the bad Wako draft. He fought for a good Constitution in Kenya. He made sure that a bad Constitution was defeated in 2005 Referendum. That is the time when Orange Democratic Party was formed. The Chungwa and Ndizi preceded the 2007 presidential elections. I was honoured that time to become his close friend. Raila has been a fighter for the people of Kenya, a patriot, a man who voted for the devolution in this country. Even the Constitution that we now enjoy in 2010, it is the Hon. Raila who did the honourable thing for the nation.

I take this opportunity to tell Kenyans that it is good time to find what Hon. Raila did for this country for all of us to unite. Although Baba has rested, he had made friendship with many Kenyans, many leaders, including the former President Kibaki. He was also a friend to former President Daniel Moi. He was a friend and a brother to former President Uhuru Kenyatta. He was a friend in broad-based government. It is important for us all to emulate what this great man has done for this country.

I want to take this opportunity to say pole to Mama Ida Odinga, his son Junior and the entire family. Thank you.

Hon. Esther Passaris. Hon. Members, keep calm. Hon. Passaris will be the last.

Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker. I rise with a heavy heart, yet with deep gratitude to pay tribute to a man whose life, courage and conviction shaped the destiny of our Republic. The late, Rt Hon. Raila Odinga, our baba, our mentor…

Hon. Passaris, please say, “I would like to move that the House be now adjourned”.

Hon. Temporary Speaker, I would like to move that the House be now adjourned.

Hon. Members, the time being