Willis Otieno: Kenya wept not just for Raila, but for entire chapter of Kenya’s struggle
By Cynthia Lodite, October 18, 2025Lawyer and politician Willis Otieno has come out eulogizing Raila Odinga as a man who gave up everything so that Kenya could breathe the air of democracy, devolution, and a new constitutional dawn.
In a long post on his official X account on Saturday, October 18, 2025, Willis, who was a close ally of the late Raila Odinga, celebrated Raila’s strength as a son who gave everything so Kenya could enjoy democracy.
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“Kenya wept… not just for a man, but for an entire chapter of our struggle. We celebrated the strength, courage, and unstoppable fire of a son who gave everything so that this nation could breathe the air of democracy, devolution, and a new constitutional dawn,” Willis said.
Willis, while celebrating Raila, further acknowledged his fight for freedom while calling on Kenyans to carry on Raila’s fight for justice, equality, dignity, and freedom for the sake of those yet to come.
“The freedoms we live in today were carved out of his sweat, his sacrifice, and his pain. Our generation has been handed a sacred duty: never to let what Baba stood for die. His fight for justice, equality, dignity, and freedom must continue to soar, even higher, for the sake of those yet to come,” he said.
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Raila’s family sacrifice to Kenyans
The constitutional lawyer further took on appreciating Odinga’s family for sharing Raila with Kenyans, even when it cost them quiet moments as a family.
“But beyond the giant of history, today we mourn a father, a husband, and a friend of the people. We honour Mama Ida Odinga and the entire Odinga family for sharing Baba with us when the nation called, again and again, even when it cost them quiet moments as a family,” he added.
“For standing tall beside him through storms and seasons. And to my fellow Kenyans… the thousands who filled the stadium and the millions who mourned from near and far, your love, your chants, your tears, your songs… this is what Baba would have cherished the most,” Willis eulogised Raila.
“You gave him the kind of farewell only a people can give to their true leader. Our hearts are broken. Our voices are hoarse. Our spirits are heavy. We have lost a father of the nation. May the Lord keep us together in strength. May His grace hold the Odinga family. And may Baba’s spirit never leave this land he loved so fiercely,” he added.