Ruth Odinga: Raila died knowing some Gen Zs wanted him gone
Late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s younger sister and Kisumu Woman Representative, Ruth Odinga, has delivered a deeply emotional message to Kenyans, lamenting what she termed as hypocrisy from a section of the youth who are now mourning her late brother.
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Speaking on Saturday, October 18, 2025, Ruth said Raila died feeling rejected by some young Kenyans, particularly those who had previously expressed hostility towards him on social media.
She revealed that despite the overwhelming national unity and love being witnessed after his passing, her brother never lived to see it or feel its warmth.
“I want to say that Generation Z are the same people now telling me about the outpouring of love after he has died. But how about when he was alive, and you were saying that he should die? He died knowing that you people preferred him dead,” she said.
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Ruth said the late ODM leader had been aware of the online attacks and insults directed at him, noting that he died believing that some members of Generation Z preferred him dead.
She added that the current outpouring of affection came too late for him to witness, describing the loss as not just personal, but one that has left a deep void in Kenya’s political and emotional landscape.
“It is only us now who are hearing the outpouring of love that you have. He would have loved you to show him that love while he was still alive,” Ruth added.
Ruth also expressed disappointment that the same young people who are now expressing love and admiration for Raila were the ones who had wished him harm when he was alive.
She observed that Raila, who dedicated his life to fighting for justice, democracy, and equity, would have cherished seeing the same unity being shown today when he was still among them.
“But I will say this, for those people who really said those things when he was still with us, it was wrong. And for those who are now showing their love, you did not know that the reality would turn out like this,” she said.
She added Raila’s death has left the country in pain, adding that his passing marked a monumental loss for Kenya.
According to her, the moment she was forced to switch off the machines he was using at the hospital, she felt the weight of national grief settle on her shoulders, realising that the country had indeed lost one of its greatest sons.
“The loss we are facing is for Kenya. When I laid him down and stopped the machines, I said to myself: Kenya has lost. Kenya is lost,” Ruth added.
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Steve Ireri
Steve is a senior writer with over four years of experience in digital journalism. His focus is on the showbiz and human interest stories. Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]
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