Kasmuel McOure: I thought Raila would live to 150 years and turn into ashes in mountains

ODM Youth League leader Kasmuel McOure has spoken about how deeply the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga affected him, describing the late opposition leader as a friend and mentor who changed his life.

Speaking on the Iko Nini Podcast on Friday, October 24, 2025, Kasmuel said he never thought Raila would die, admitting that the news of his death hit him hard.

Also watch: We lost one of our big Arsenal fans, Raila Odinga – President Ruto

“Mimi sikuwai imagine Baba atakufa. Nilijua ataishi hadi 100 or 150 years, na aende kwa mountain turn into ashes. I sobbed like a baby. To me, he was a friend,” Kasmuel said.

Hero

On the day Raila Odinga died, in a heartfelt message shared on his official X account on the night of Wednesday, October 15, 2025, Kasmuel expressed gratitude to the late opposition leader, saying Raila had a huge impact on his life.

“To the eternal gentleman, Baba. I’ll miss you deeply, my friend. Thank you for saving my life last year,” he wrote.

Adding;

“Thank you for making me the man I am today. Fare thee well, my forever hero.”

Also watch: Thousands of Kisumu residents take to the streets to mourn ODM leader Raila Odinga

Kasmuel also shared a screenshot of his WhatsApp conversation with Raila, where he had sought guidance on whether to attend certain meetings. Raila advised him to go to both, saying they would give him a chance to share ODM’s experience with others.

Raila Odinga died on October 15, 2025, while receiving treatment in India. He was 80 years old. According to the family, he suffered a cardiac arrest at a hospital in Kochi, Kerala.

Raila, who served as Kenya’s Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013, was a towering figure in the country’s politics. Leaders described him as a statesman who devoted his life to the country.

Spoilt

McOure also said Raila was always generous with him, often giving money without being asked.

“People were always surprised when they saw me travelling by chopper with Raila. He was always looking out for me and used to spoil me so much. When he died, I felt deeply saddened because I had lost a friend,” he said.

McOure revealed that Ksh100,000 was the least amount Raila ever gave him and recalled receiving about USD8,000 (around Ksh1 million) during a trip to the United States, in addition to official support from the US government.

“To be clear, 100,000 shillings was the least amount of money Raila ever gave me, and I never had to ask him for it,” he added.

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