Kasmuel says he can’t believe Raila is gone, recalls trying to call him
By Paulette Mboga, November 10, 2025Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party youth leader Kasmuel McOure has expressed shock and disbelief following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Speaking on Oga Obinna show on Monday, November 10, 2025, he said he is still trying to come to terms with the loss and revealed that he even tried calling Raila last week.
Speaking about the sudden death, Kasmuel said, “It has been very confusing. I am still in a state of shock. I haven’t believed it. Even last week, I tried calling him. Cause you know ako hapo kwa favourites. It is famo, then his numbers. I tried calling him, saying eish, maybe this is just a bad dream.”
“So yeah, it has been a rather confusing time, even with the noise around it. Mimi nimekataa, I just feel like uhm…I haven’t yet, uhm…it feels like he is gonna come back, I feel like he is gonna come back. I don’t think I have had the chance to really sit with all of it,” he added.
Kasmuel said that despite the overwhelming news, he has not fully accepted Raila’s passing and continues to hope it might be a bad dream. He described the period following the news as confusing, with a lot of noise and public reaction around the event.
Explains why he did not shave his afro to mourn Raila
When asked why he did not shave his afro as a mark of mourning, Kasmuel explained that he had planned to wear traditional regalia to honour Raila, but elders advised him that such practices should not be done casually.
“I was at Lee, in Karen….I remember going home and telling myself I wanted to don a traditional regalia for Baba and I met some elders, and there is a particular lady who said we just don’t wear those things for granted. We don’t just participate on these things for granted. And for me, I was just like, okay, fine..I will just do regular stuff, regular whatever,” he said.
He said that his decision to keep things simple was guided by respect for traditions and advice from elders, rather than a lack of mourning. Kasmuel said he wanted to honour Raila in a way that was appropriate and meaningful.
Kasmuel’s reflections capture the deep personal loss felt by those close to Raila Odinga. His attempt to reach out last week and his continued disbelief show how sudden and impactful the loss has been.