This year’s Mashujaa Day was unlike any other. What is normally a celebration of Kenya’s heroes will turn into a national moment of reflection, as the country paused to honour the late former Prime Minister, Raila Amolo Odinga.
At the newly built Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County, President William Ruto will lead the nation in marking the day. Yet, beyond the speeches and military parades, the spirit of the occasion will definitely belong to one man whose name has been etched in Kenya’s political history for almost four decades — the man Raila Odinga, aka Jakom.
The national carrier, Kenya Airways, have also joined Kenyans in celebrating Raila’s legacy, dedicating this year’s Mashujaa Day to his memory. In a heartfelt message shared on X, KQ has described him as “a hero whose vision, courage, and unwavering spirit inspired generations and shaped our nation’s journey.”
Their tribute came just days after the Kenya Airports Authority briefly closed Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to receive the former Prime Minister’s remains on Thursday, October 16. The temporary shutdown was a mark of respect for a man who, in many ways, had helped define Kenya’s modern political landscape.
Among those who paid tribute was Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, a long-time ally and friend. Writing hours after Raila was laid to rest at his home in Bondo, Siaya County, on Sunday, October 19, Kalonzo reflected on their shared journey through Kenya’s often turbulent politics.
“Years of detention did not stop you. The torture chambers did not faze you. The agony of bungled and stolen elections did not crush you,” he wrote, capturing the defiance that became the hallmark of Raila’s life.
He described Raila as a man whose dedication to justice, equality, and unity never wavered — even when the cost was personal. “You gave your life, mind, and energy to building a Kenya where every citizen, no matter their background, could live with dignity,” Kalonzo said.
Across the country, tributes poured in from ordinary Kenyans, leaders, and institutions alike. It was a reminder that Raila’s story was not just political — it was deeply personal for millions who had looked up to him as a symbol of courage and conviction.
As the national flag will fly above Ithookwe Stadium and the crowd join in song and prayer, there is bound to be an unspoken understanding: this Mashujaa Day to be remembered not just for the heroes of the past, but for the hero Kenya had just lost: Raila Odinga.
