Raila Odinga’s younger sister Ruth Odinga has opened up about the mixed feelings Kenya’s Gen Z generation had toward the late former Prime Minister. Speaking from the family home in Opoda Farm, Bondo, Ruth reflected on how young people who once criticised Raila are now deeply affected by his passing a sign, she said, that they have come to appreciate the values he stood for.
Highlights
- Ruth Odinga spoke about the Gen Z generation’s changing perception of Raila Odinga.
- She said many young Kenyans who criticised him are now mourning his death.
- Ruth described her brother as a misunderstood visionary.
- She urged Gen Z to carry forward Raila’s legacy of justice and reform.
- The Odinga family continues to receive mourners ahead of Raila’s burial in Bondo.
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A Shift in Perspective
As mourners continue to gather in Bondo for the burial of Raila Odinga, his sister Ruth Odinga has shared emotional reflections on how Kenya’s youth viewed the late political icon. She noted that while Raila’s interactions with the Gen Z generation were sometimes marked by tension and criticism, many of those same young people are now publicly mourning his death.
“Some of them spoke very harshly about him, but today they are the same ones mourning him,” Ruth said, acknowledging the shift in tone that has followed her brother’s passing.
Misunderstood by the Young
Ruth said that Raila’s bold political stance and long struggle for democracy were often misinterpreted by the younger generation, who wanted faster change and greater accountability. She added that Raila’s depth, sacrifice, and resilience are now clearer to many Kenyans including the Gen Z activists who once challenged him online.
She described her brother as a visionary leader who “carried the burden of Kenya’s democracy on his shoulders,” even when misunderstood or criticised.
A Message to the Youth
Ruth urged young Kenyans to look beyond politics and learn from Raila’s enduring spirit of resilience and patriotism. She appealed to Gen Z to continue his mission of reform and justice, saying,
“He fought for freedoms that the youth now enjoy. His dream was for them to take the torch forward.”
As preparations for Raila’s burial continue, Ruth said the family remains comforted by the unity and outpouring of emotion across the country.
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As Kenya bids farewell to one of its greatest political figures, Ruth Odinga’s words serve as a gentle reminder true legacies often outlive public opinion.
