Jamaica Farewell: Ruto moves mourners with Raila’s favourite song
A touching and unusual moment happened on Friday, October 17, 2025, when President William Ruto sang one of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s favourite songs.
In a packed Nyayo National Stadium, Ruto gently started to hum the well-known tune “Jamaica Farewell” by Harry Belafonte.
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The Head of State’s voice floated in the air as he sang the touching words:
“Down the way where the nights are gay, And the sun shines daily on the mountain top, I took a trip on a sailing ship, And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop…” Ruto sang, leaving the mourners in a frenzy.
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Raila’s love for “Jamaica Farewell” was well known among family, friends, and Kenyans.
He would often sing it during various gatherings, sometimes with a faraway look in his eyes.
It was a moment that few expected, the head of state paying tribute through a song that Raila himself had often sung at family gatherings, political podiums, televised interviews, and moments of relaxation.
Ruto paused midway, as the DJ at the venue queued the original recording.
Mourners join and sing in unison
As Belafonte’s mellow voice filled the stadium, the crowd rose to their feet, hundreds singing along in unison.
“Sad to say, I’m on my way, won’t be back for many a day. My heart is down, my head is turning around, I had to leave a little girl in Kingston Town,” echoed across the field.
When the song ended, Ruto appreciated the mourners for honouring the late ODM leader Raila Odinga with the song.
“Thank you very much. Today, those words ring with profound meaning, significance, and impact. Our elder statesman, the Honourable Raila, is sailing in a ship, not to Jamaica, but to home beyond.”
“He will not be back with us for many a day. but he leaves behind many little girls and boys, not in Kingstown, but here in Nairobi, Kisumu, Mandera, Vihiga, Mombasa, Kakamega, and every village and valley across our land,” he said.
“Baba has finished his race. He has served his people and humanity. It is our solemn prayer to the Almighty God that the soil of the land which Hon Raila so tirelessly served shall embrace him with grace. That the nation he sacrificed for shall eternally cherish his memory, and the people for whom he fought shall carry his dream forward.”
The song is a fond farewell to Jamaica. Harry Belafonte expressed his sadness about leaving the beautiful West Indian islands, particularly because he has to leave ‘a little girl in Kingston town.’
It’s considered a mento song, which is a traditional Jamaican folk music style. Raila wowed crowds several times while singing along to Jamaica Farewell.
