Siaya county govt finally honours Raila’s legacy
By Eric Juma, October 27, 2025The County Government of Siaya, through its Department of Environment, has established “Baba (Raila Odinga) Corner” where more than 200 indigenous and exotic tree seedlings were planted in his honour.
The CECM in charge of Environment Prof, Jacqueline Oduol, spearheaded the program on Monday, October 27, 2025, that saw the tree seedlings planted at the departmental grounds to honour the fallen hero and champion of climate change.
The 200 planted tree seedlings were part of the 1000 seedlings that were donated by Equity Bank to be planted during the Siaya International Trade and Investment Conference.
Speaking during the planting session, Prof Oduol said they are honouring Raila by planting trees.
“The untimely death of Raila ended the SITICO even before it kicked off, and the tree seedlings he and other guests were to plant during the conference, so we decided to create a baba corner and plant some 200 seedlings, “said Prof Oduol.
In his honour and as part of this department’s commitment to environmental sustainability, we are proud to introduce Babas Corner, a symbolic green space within our departmental program where tree growing, conservation awareness, and youth mentorship will continue in his memory.
Baba’s corner will serve as a living legacy, a reminder of his enduring spirit, his love for nature and his relentless pursuit of justice for people and the planet.
Oduol, in partnership with NEMA and the Forest Office kept his (Raila’s) legacy going by planting the trees.
This tree growing exercise is in honour of Raila, whom we all know was instrumental in terms of climate change, was a leader whose vision for greener, fairer and more sustainable Kenya continues to inspire generations.
The Former Premier stood firm when few dared to speak out for the environment, water Resources and the future of our children, even when it cost him politically.
Raila was more than a political icon, a true environmentalist at heart. His courage and unwavering stand on protecting Mau Forest remains a defining moment in our Nation’s history.
“Many believed his strong defence of Mau Forest, Kenya’s most vital water tower, cost him the presidential elections, yet he never regretted it,” she added.
He said, “You cannot eat the future and expect to live tomorrow.”
That statement alone captures the essence of leadership and sacrifice for the greater good.
Raila dedicated his life to promoting environmental conservation. He led the fight to protect water catchment areas, advocating for the planting of trees and environmental conservation.
Even though Raila will no longer be with us in body, his spirit lives on in every seedling we plant, grow and nurture, every forest we protect, and every community we empower to live in harmony with nature. Let us therefore commit ourselves to carrying forward his vision.
Let us grow trees not as a ceremony but as a solemn promise that we shall continue to protect the environment, conserve our water towers and champion climate actions for a sustainable future.
“May the shades of trees we are planting today remind future generations that once, there lived a man, who dared to dream and taught us that a better Kenya is possible,” Prof. Oduol added.
She urged departments under Orengo’s administration to set aside in the departmental grounds to plant trees in honour of Baba.
Raila had come to the defence of the late Prof. Wangari Maathai with regard to the protection of water towers.
In his speech, Raila said that Professor Maathai’s life story is a reminder of the great power within us.
We each have the ability to mobilise people to work together for positive change. He acknowledged that change doesn’t come easily, but urged the guests to push for development that will benefit us all.
The former PM stated that the solution was for brave Kenyans to stand up for the restoration of the environment, while at the same time ensuring that the people’s needs are met.
However, on October 10, 2025, a Mazingira day, Nairobi’s Chief Environment Officer, Geoffrey Mosiri,a said that Raila encouraged Kenyans to plant trees in large numbers.
Through Mosiria’s post, he said that“I’ve just spoken with Baba, and he is in high spirits. He has urged all Kenyans to plant trees in large numbers tomorrow during Mazingira Day. Kesho unapanda miti ukiwa Wapi?” Mosiria said on X (formerly Twitter)