Mwezi wa Baba: Candle-lighting tribute for Raila Odinga set for Friday at Uhuru Park
By Katemarthason Okudo, September 29, 2026Lang’ata MP and media personality Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has announced a candle-lighting ceremony to honour the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as part of a month-long programme to remember his life and legacy.
Jalang’o shared details of the event in a post on Instagram on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, inviting Kenyans to gather at Uhuru Park on Friday, October 2, for the first major event under the programme dubbed Mwezi wa Baba.
The candle-lighting ceremony will run from 3 pm until midnight and is expected to bring together people wishing to remember Raila, who died in October 2025.
“We are starting the month of October very strong! Mwezi wa Baba! This Friday, 2nd October, we will gather at Uhuru Park from 3:00 PM until midnight for a candle-lighting celebration in honour of our late party leader, Baba Raila Amollo Odinga,” Jalang’o said.
Jalang’o announces ‘Mwezi wa Baba’
Jalang’o had earlier announced plans for a programme dedicated to Raila, describing October as a period for Kenyans to remember and celebrate the former Prime Minister.
In a video shared on social media on Friday, September 18, he said several activities would take place during the month, with the celebrations culminating in a major gathering in Nairobi.
“Mwezi wa Baba will be the whole month of October,” Jalang’o said. He identified the October 2 candle-lighting ceremony at Uhuru Park as the first major event, before announcing a larger gathering at Jacaranda Grounds on October 31.
“The first major event being the candle lighting on the 2nd that will happen at Uhuru Park,” he said. Jalang’o later added that the October 31 gathering would bring together Raila’s supporters and those who want to take part in the commemorations.
Raila Odinga’s death
Raila Odinga, who was 80 years old, died on October 15, 2025, while receiving medical treatment in India. He collapsed during a morning walk at a hospital in Kerala and was later pronounced dead at Devamatha Hospital.
His death was followed by a nationwide period of mourning, with leaders and members of the public paying tribute to a political career that spanned several decades.
Raila served as Kenya’s Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 and was the founding leader of the Orange Democratic Movement. He also contested the presidency five times, in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2022. He was buried at his ancestral home in Bondo, Siaya County, on October 19, 2025.
October to mark the first anniversary
The planned candle-lighting comes as the country approaches the first anniversary of Raila’s death.
The October programme announced by ODM includes a nationwide candle-lighting ceremony on October 2, memorial activities in different counties and a final Nairobi gathering on October 31.
The Raila Odinga family is also organising a separate week-long national programme from October 10 to 17, with the commemorations expected to bring together people from different political, religious and social backgrounds.
For Jalang’o, the October events will provide an opportunity for people who knew Raila, supported him or were influenced by his political journey to come together and remember him.
He urged those wishing to participate to attend the planned gatherings as the country marks one year since the death of the former Prime Minister.