President William Ruto stirred deep emotions at Nyayo Stadium when he took to the stage and sang the timeless ballad “Jamaica Farewell” in memory of the late Raila Amolo Odinga.
The ballad was Raila’s most loved song. Anytime baba would sing the song, he’d bask in laughter, painting his whole face, and stringing from one end of the mouth to the other end.
As Ruto’s voice echoed through the stadium, a heavy silence fell over the crowd. The lyrics — filled with longing and farewell — seemed to mirror the pain and pride of a nation saying goodbye to one of its most influential leaders.
Each line of the song, “But I’m sad to say I’m on my way, won’t be back for many a day…” captured the bittersweet reality of Raila’s departure. It was a moment that went beyond politics — a heartfelt tribute from the Head of State to a man whose name had become synonymous with Kenya’s struggle for democracy.
Many mourners later described the performance as one of the most touching moments of the memorial — a moment when music spoke louder than words, reminding Kenyans of their shared humanity amid grief.
