Malawian politicians have lauded departed former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga as an advocate of democracy and a unifier.
Odinga, who made five unsuccessful presidential bids in his country between 1997 and 2022, died on Wednesday after collapsing while jogging in India where he was receiving medical treatment.
He was among dignitaries who attended vice-president Saulos Chilima’s funeral service at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe in June 2024 where he called on African nations to mourn with Malawi and ensure unity.
In her eulogy, former president and People’s Party leader Joyce Banda said Odinga followed in his father’s footsteps, but did much more by fighting for justice and freedom during the second revolution to bring democracy to Kenya.
She said: “I first met Raila Odinga when I lived in Nairobi, Kenya in the 1970s. My first impression was that he was his father’s son. His father before him had fought injustice and was arrested and jailed.
“To all of us who knew and worked with him, he was not a distinguished son of Kenya alone, but a Pan Africanist who contributed a lot to the work of the African Union as champion for infrastructure.”
Former vice-president Khumbo Kachali said in an interview yesterday that he learnt from Odinga that politicians should strive to fight for peace and unity.
He said despite that Odinga unsuccessfully run for the Kenyan presidency, he was still in the forefront of peace building.
Said Kachali: “I interacted with him as a politician during the governance challenges that were there in 2007/2008 and his subsequent [rise to become] prime minister.
“What I saw in him was that he was a unifier. The elections at that time were a watershed moment and a lot of people lost lives. Thanks to Odinga for humbling himself to become Prime Minister.”
Politician Paul Aaron Gadama, who once served as Odinga’s head of strategy and senior adviser, described him as a statesman of rare moral clarity and a father of democracy whose influence extended far beyond Kenyan borders.
He said for Malawi and Africa, Odinga’s legacy is a masterclass lesson in resilience, humility and principled leadership that demonstrated that being in opposition is patriotism.
“Malawian politicians would do well to study his life, his ability to concede without bitterness, to lead without title and to inspire without fear. His ideals of justice, inclusion and democratic integrity will continue to guide us,” he said.
UTM Party president Dalitso Kabambe said in a written response that he will remember Odinga for promoting national unity, describing his perseverance through political adversity, advocacy for electoral reforms and commitment to improving the lives of Kenyans as defining aspects of his legacy.
He said: “His influence extended beyond Kenya, inspiring democratic movements across Africa. Malawian politicians can learn by upholding democratic processes and respecting electoral outcomes
“Persisting through political setbacks and continuing to advocate for change can also lead to meaningful progress. But also, we must learn to promote unity among diverse groups for national cohesion.”
In his tribute, governance and social justice advocate Undule Mwakasungula said from Odinga, Malawian politicians should learn that real leadership is about service, honesty, and courage not self-interests.
Political Science Association spokesperson Mavuto Bamusi said Odinga will be remembered as a fearless defender of democracy and champion of human rights, owing to his courage and determination to open Kenya to multiparty politics.
“Odinga also symbolises political tolerance when he accepted the government of national unity and took up the the lesser position of Prime Minister,” he said.
Political analyst Wonderful Mkhutche said in a separate response that Odinga legacy is engraved in some positive developments in Kenyan politics, for example the fight for multiparty democracy.
The BBC reported that, according to the family, it was Odinga’s wish to be laid to rest within the shortest time possible, ideally within 72 hours.
Kenyan President William Ruto announced seven days of mourning and said Odinga will be accorded a State funeral with full military honours.
