On Thursday, the family of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga announced a special candle-lighting ceremony to commemorate the month-long remembrance of the beloved opposition leader who passed away last year.
The Raila Amolo Odinga Memorial National Steering Committee shared that Raila’s widow, Ida Odinga, will lead supporters and Kenyans in lighting candles next Thursday at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, where Raila rests beside his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Chaired by Prof. Adams Oloo, the committee stated, “H.E. Mama Ida Odinga will guide the official international candle lighting at 6 PM East Africa Time at his final resting place, Kang’o ka Jaramogi, in Bondo.”
They warmly invite everyone and institutions worldwide to participate in this meaningful candle lighting session. No matter where you are—at home, in a place of worship, or anywhere else—light a candle in his memory at that hour, allowing one light to shine in a million places simultaneously.
The committee also acknowledged the candle-lighting vigil organized by the ODM Party across the country on Friday, a party that Raila founded and led for two decades.
Oloo expressed, “We appreciate this thoughtful gesture of remembrance and fully support the planned event.”
October has been designated by ODM as “Mwezi wa Baba,” featuring various activities nationwide, starting with Friday’s candle-lighting exercise and culminating in a significant memorial rally in Kakamega on October 9.
The nationwide candle-lighting exercise begins on Friday, with additional activities planned in various regions in the weeks to come.
On October 9, ODM will host a major memorial rally in Kakamega, uniting supporters from Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma, and Trans Nzoia.
Family-led activities are scheduled from October 10 to 15, leading up to the Bondo memorial.
After the Bondo event, ODM will continue its program with activities in Garissa on October 17, followed by events in the Coast region on October 18 and 19.
The party will then proceed to Kajiado on October 21 and Turkana from October 23 to 25.
The Oloo-led committee emphasized the importance of avoiding any fundraising during this month-long celebration of Raila’s first anniversary.
Oloo cautioned, “Everyone is encouraged to celebrate Jakom in their own way, but no funds should be raised in the name of the family or the National Steering Committee.” This reminder aims to prevent any misuse of this heartfelt season of remembrance for personal gain.
ODM invites supporters and Kenyans to light candles wherever they may be, with organized gatherings planned in various locations across the country.
In Nairobi, supporters will come together at Uhuru Park, while other designated venues include Treasury Square in Mombasa and Kisumu Central Square.
These two initiatives highlight the distinct yet complementary roles of the family and ODM in organizing activities to honor the one-year anniversary of Raila’s passing.
The Steering Committee has coordinated a program that allows Kenyans to remember Raila beyond the formal political structures of ODM.
The family also recognizes that many Kenyans did not have the opportunity to mourn Raila or say their goodbyes as they would have liked, following his passing in October 2025.
Raila departed this world on October 15, 2025, while receiving treatment in India at the age of 80.
