What Raila once said he would ask God if given a second chance at life
President William Ruto has revealed one of the late Raila Odinga’s most touching reflections about his love for Kenya, recounting that the former Prime Minister once said that if God were to grant him a second chance at life, he would ask to be born again in Kenya.
Speaking during the Mashujaa Day celebrations held at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County on Monday, October 20, 2025, President Ruto said Raila’s love for Kenya was steadfast and unconditional.
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He described the late ODM leader as a man whose patriotism was deeply rooted in his belief in the country’s potential, despite its imperfections.
“Raila’s love for Kenya was steadfast and unconditional. He once told us that if he were to die and God asked him where he would wish to be born again, he would, without hesitation, say, ‘Take me back to Kenya.’ Such was the depth of his devotion to a beloved nation,” he said.
The President narrated that Raila had been clear on why he would give such a response to God, despite having a trove of options, including other countries he could have chosen to be born in.
He noted that Raila understood Kenya’s imperfections were not unique, and that he recognised it would take time for the nation to attain its full stature.
“He knew, like all nations, Kenya was not perfect, that nation building was work in progress and renewed with every generation. He understood that we are an imperfect people always striving to work towards a more perfect union, yet even in our flaws, he saw magic,” Ruto said.
Ruto made the remarks during the same event where he posthumously conferred Raila Amolo Odinga with the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (C.G.H.), the nation’s highest civilian honour.
The award, the president said, recognised Raila’s lifelong dedication to justice, democracy, and national unity.
“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,” Ruto declared as he read the gazette notice conferring the honour.
The President hailed Raila as a towering patriot and a hero for the ages, urging Kenyans to live by his ideals of courage, fairness, and selflessness.
“If we, the people he so deeply loved, choose to live by the lessons he taught us, to love Kenya more than we love ourselves, to put unity above division, and to serve with courage and conviction, then we can truly become a great nation of 50 million heroes,” he said.
The Ithookwe celebrations, attended by national leaders and foreign dignitaries, came a day after Raila’s private burial at his Kang’o Ka Jaramogi home in Bondo, Siaya County.
The ceremony was attended by his family, close allies, and top government officials including President Ruto.
Raila was laid to rest with two symbolic items, his trademark hat and a ceremonial whisk, representing authority, wisdom, and continuity in Luo tradition.
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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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