Raila Odinga: The King Who Deserves a Royal Farewell—But Won’t Get One

Raila Amollo Odinga is more than a politician. He is an era, a movement, a symbol of resistance and resilience that has defined Kenya’s political journey for decades. In a just world, his farewell would mirror the magnitude of his contribution, a dignified, royal send-off befitting the man who has shaped the country’s democratic consciousness and stood tall through storms that would have broken lesser men.

Yet, as events have already shown, Raila’s burial is unlikely to reflect the stature he deserves. His body’s reception, expected to be a solemn moment led by the President, state officials, and family, turned into a chaotic spectacle. The crowd, driven by love and emotion, broke barriers, overwhelmed security, and turned what should have been a moment of national honor into an uncontrollable frenzy. The noise, the pushing, the tears, and the chants of “Baba! Baba!” captured the true nature of his following; passionate, unfiltered, and raw, but it also revealed the near-impossibility of managing a dignified state-like event in his honor.

This pattern will likely continue throughout the burial process. Raila is not just a political figure, he is an icon of the people, and the people will not stay away. They will flood every road, every field, every village he ever touched. The security forces will struggle. Protocols will crumble. Dignitaries who might wish to attend, heads of state, diplomats, religious leaders, will find themselves in the middle of uncontrollable emotion and unplanned movement.

Still, Raila Odinga deserves to be buried like a king. Here’s why:

1. A Lifetime of Sacrifice — He spent years in detention, fighting for freedoms many now take for granted. Kenya’s multiparty democracy stands on the foundation of his suffering.
2. The People’s President — Whether or not he ever held State House, Raila captured the spirit of leadership that transcends office. Millions called him “Baba” not out of politics, but affection and belief.
3. A Pan-African Statesman — From mediating conflicts to influencing continental debates, Raila has left footprints beyond Kenya’s borders.
4. The Architect of Reform — From the 2010 Constitution to devolution, his fingerprints are on Kenya’s most transformative policies.
5. A Symbol of Hope — For generations, he represented the belief that justice, even if delayed, is never denied.

But Kenya’s reality is that emotion often overtakes order. The same masses who made Raila great are the ones who will make it impossible for him to be buried like a king. His final journey will be more of a people’s parade than a state ceremony; loud, crowded, and chaotic, yet deeply human and profoundly Kenyan.

In the end, Raila Odinga may not receive the calm, regal farewell he deserves. But perhaps that’s fitting. Because even in death, the man who lived among the people will be carried home by the people; not in silence, but in song, chants, and the roar of a nation that loved him beyond measure.