CS Mbadi cuts short Washington trip to mourn Raila Odinga

Odinga, 80, passed away on Wednesday morning in the Indian city of Kochi after suffering a heart attack while undergoing treatment at the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre.

Mbadi, a longtime ally and confidant of the late ODM leader, arrived back in Nairobi at 1 a.m. on Friday, ahead of the State Funeral to be held at Nyayo National Stadium. Speaking upon arrival, the CS described Odinga as a “forthright and peace-loving leader” who dedicated his life to the unity and progress of Kenya.

“I was out of the country attending the IMF and World Bank meetings in Washington D.C. I arrived there on the 13th, but due to the time difference, I only learnt of Raila’s passing on the 15th when we woke up,” Mbadi recounted.

“I immediately cancelled my plans and began arranging my return home.”

The visibly emotional Cabinet Secretary called for calm and restraint as the nation comes to terms with the death of one of its most influential political figures.

“It is hard to refer to him in the past tense. If Mzee is looking at us from above, there is one thing he would want to see—a united country and a united people,” he said.

“Let us uphold the peace that Mzee cherished. To our law enforcement officers, I urge you to ensure order without any loss of life.”

Mbadi, who has worked closely with Odinga for more than three decades, spoke of their deep personal bond, describing it as a relationship that transcended politics.

“My engagement with Raila went beyond politics; it was intimate—like that of a father and son. I have known him for 33 years, since my days at the University of Nairobi,” he shared.

“Raila Odinga was not just a politician,” Mbadi said quietly. “He was an idea—an enduring belief in a fair, united, and just Kenya.”

Born on January 7, 1945, in Maseno, Kisumu County, Raila Odinga was the son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first Vice President under President Jomo Kenyatta, and Mary Juma Odinga.

Odinga’s political life was marked by resilience and sacrifice. He was detained multiple times during the Moi regime, accused of participating in the 1982 coup attempt. Despite years of imprisonment, he emerged as a key voice for democracy, later serving as Lang’ata MP from 1992 to 2013 and as Prime Minister in the Grand Coalition Government from 2008 to 2013.

He contested the presidency five times—each campaign reshaping Kenya’s political landscape—and remained a symbol of opposition, reform, and national dialogue.

In recent weeks, questions had arisen over Odinga’s health, after he missed several public events. 

His brother, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga, had assured the public that he was recuperating in India—a statement that now reads with painful irony.