'He died on my birthday': Oburu Oginga honours his brother Raila in heartfelt tribute

Speaking with a heavy heart during the State Funeral Service held at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, Dr Oburu said his relationship with Raila went far beyond that of brothers.

“I have a very heavy heart to say farewell to my dear brother. Raila was more than a brother to me—he was my friend, my age-mate, my advisor, my confidant, and even my business partner,” he said.

The senator recalled their close upbringing, saying they shared an unbreakable bond that felt like that of twins.

“We grew up together as twins because the difference between us was only one year and two months,” he said, adding that, “unfortunately, my brother passed away on my birthday, October 15, 1943.”

Dr. Oburu painted a portrait of Raila as a man of principle—firm, fearless, and intolerant of mediocrity.

“Raila was a no-nonsense man. He entertained no mediocrity. If you came across him with lies or something dishonest, his left hand was very fast,” he said, drawing laughter from mourners. “He was braver than anyone I knew when it came to confronting those who attacked us.”

The senator, who is the elder of the two, also paid tribute to Raila’s political leadership, saying that despite their age difference, he always deferred to his brother’s vision and authority.

“Even though my brother was younger than me, I respected him as my leader in the political arena,” he said.

He concluded with an emotional message to his brother: “Asante, my brother. Rest in peace. Greet our father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, greet our mother, Mama Mary Oginga, and greet our brothers for us. I’m sure God Almighty is going to welcome you with His heart. Rest in peace, my brother, rest in peace.”