Poghisio lauds Ruto for giving Raila special sendoff
By Cynthia Lodite, October 21, 2025Former West Pokot County Senator and former Cabinet Minister Samuel Poghisio has lauded President William Ruto for giving the late former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, a state funeral.
Speaking during an interview with a local media house on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, the former legislator commended the head of state for further acknowledging Raila Odinga’s contribution to Kenya with the highest honour.
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While making his remarks, the former minister described Ruto’s actions after Raila’s passing as commendable.
“We thank President Ruto for awarding the late Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, the country’s highest honour, the C.G.H., and according him a state funeral. That was truly commendable,” Samuel Poghisio stated.
Poghisio’s remarks come just two days after Kenya laid to rest a man President Ruto described as a man of peace, courage, and unyielding conviction, whose life was defined by an unwavering commitment to justice, democracy, and national unity.
Raila Shujaa
During the Mashujaa Celebration on Monday, October 20, 2025, President Ruto conferred on the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (C.G.H.), the nation’s highest civilian honour.
President William Ruto bestowed the honour “on behalf of a grateful nation,” describing Raila as a “towering patriot and a hero for the ages.”
The award, given under the public seal of the Republic of Kenya, came as the country continues to observe seven days of mourning following Raila’s death earlier this month.
“The government and the people of Kenya inscribe Raila Odinga’s name among the foremost of our heroes under the public seal of the Republic of Kenya,” President Ruto declared during his Mashujaa Day address.
“On behalf of a grateful nation, and through the authority vested in me as president, I have today posthumously conferred upon the Right Honourable Raila Odinga the highest honour of the Republic, the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya,” he added.
The president paid glowing tribute to Raila’s lifelong dedication to justice, democracy, and unity, describing him as a man who “aspired and labored for a Kenya that is free, fair, and governed by the rule of law.”