He forgave his jailers: Daddy Owen moved by Raila’s forgiving heart
By Ascah Mwango, October 18, 2025Kenyan gospel singer Daddy Owen has paid an emotional tribute to the late Raila Amollo Odinga, recalling the opposition leader’s extraordinary ability to forgive those who wronged him — including the very people who once imprisoned him.
Speaking during a live interview on Friday, October 17, 2025, a local TV station alongside media personality Big Ted, Daddy Owen reflected on Raila’s lifelong commitment to peace, reconciliation, and national unity, even after enduring years of political detention under past regimes.
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“You can imagine coming out of detention after so many years only for you to come out and work with the people who detained you,” he said emotionally.
“Baba’s vision was so big that he knew for him to achieve it, forgiveness and reconciliation had to play a part.”
Raila, who spent nearly a decade behind bars during Kenya’s struggle for multiparty democracy, was widely admired for his resilience and statesmanship.
His ability to work with former political adversaries, including ex-Presidents Daniel Arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta and even the incumbent William Ruto, became a defining symbol of national healing.
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Big Ted, who also spoke during the interview, described Raila as a leader with an unmistakable aura and a rare gift for inspiring young people.
“There was just an aura about Raila,” Big Ted said.
“Working with him was a great privilege; I learnt a lot from him. He created spaces where young people could come in and express themselves. Whenever he endorsed you, it was because he saw something in you — he inspired a whole generation.”
Raila Odinga’s death on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, has left a deep void in Kenyan politics and across the continent, with tributes continuing to pour in from world leaders, musicians, and citizens alike.
For many, including Daddy Owen, Raila’s true legacy lies not only in his political struggle but in his unmatched capacity for forgiveness – a virtue that turned a once-divided nation toward dialogue and hope.