Nuru Okanga narrates how Raila gifted him Ksh390K after losing his mother
By Steve Ireri, October 18, 2025Nuru Okanga, one of Raila Odinga’s most passionate supporters, has opened up on how the late ODM leader once came through for him with an unexpected act of generosity during one of the darkest moments of his life.
Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Saturday, October 18, 2025, Okanga revealed that the late politician personally reached out to him and sent him Ksh390,000 shortly after he lost his mother, a gesture that he says he will never forget.
Also Watch: Ichung’wah fights back tears paying tribute to late Raila Odinga
He recalled that the encounter began when Raila requested for his phone number after a previous meeting.
However, before they could meet again, tragedy struck as he received news that one of his mothers had passed away in Nambale.
“Raila told me to write down my phone number, which I did before heading home. Shortly after, I received a call informing me that my other mother had passed away in Nambale,” he shared.
While still processing the loss, he said that activist Gaucho called to inform him that Raila had taken his contact and planned to call him soon. Moments later, as he was travelling home on a motorcycle, his phone rang, and to his surprise, it was Raila Odinga himself on the line.
Also Watch: Funeral committee cancels plan for Raila’s body to stay at Karen home
Okanga narrated that Raila first expressed his condolences and told him to take his time with the burial arrangements. The former Prime Minister then instructed him to save his number and assured him that he could reach out whenever he needed help.
“I travelled there immediately, and while on my way, Gaucho called to tell me that Raila had taken my number and that I should expect his call any time. While I was on a motorcycle, my phone rang, and I told the rider to stop. When I answered, it was Raila himself. He first asked where I was because he had wanted to meet me at his Karen home. I told him that I was back home for a burial since my mother had passed away. He expressed his condolences and told me to stay and complete the burial arrangements, but also asked me to save his number, saying I should call him whenever I had a problem,” Nuru narrated.
Within ten minutes of their conversation, Okanga said he received a message alert showing that Raila had sent him Ksh200,000 to help with the funeral expenses.
“After about ten minutes, I received Ksh200,000 from him. Later, he asked me if I had visited the parents of my wife, and when I told him I was planning to go, he asked how much I would need for the trip. I said that since it was a long distance, Ksh150,000 would be enough.”
According to Okanga, the ODM leader later called again, asking whether he had managed to visit his in-laws as he had earlier planned.
When Raila asked how much he needed for the journey, Okanga told him that about Ksh150,000 would be enough since he had married from far away.
Three days later, Okanga received another call from one of Raila’s aides informing him that Raila had instructed him to send an additional Ksh190,000 to support the visit.
“After three days, one of Raila’s assistants, who usually sent me money, called and said, ‘Raila really loves you, because he has just told me to send you Ksh190,000.’ That is the money I used to take my family and officially visit my in-laws,” Nuru added.
Raila Odinga, who passed away on October 15, 2025, in Kerala, India, after suffering a cardiac arrest, continues to be remembered for his compassion and connection with ordinary Kenyans, qualities that defined his lifelong bond with the people he called “wananchi.”