Inside the political pilgrimage: Raila Odinga’s grave becomes a shrine of power and grief

Over two weeks after the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who passed on October 15 while receiving treatment in India, his burial site at Kang'o ka Jaramogi has been turned into a political shrine as an endless stream of mourners, regional leaders, dignitaries, friends and sympathisers continue trooping in to pay their last respects.

Following his October 19 State funeral, attended by President William Ruto and the entire senior political class, as well as opposition figures, Luo elders, Governors, legislators, several foreign leaders and thousands of grief-stricken mourners, the late ODM leader's graveyard - and his Opoda home - has become somewhat of a spectacle with a seemingly never-ending pilgrimage of people of all walks of life, all pouring in to continue condoling with Mama Ida Odinga and her brood.

Just hours after the late Sunday evening funeral, President Uhuru Kenyatta made his way back to the fresh gravesite for another round of, this time, deeply personal and reflective moment of last respects as he stood solemnly next to the Odinga family, perhaps taking time away from the noise and commotion to whisper a few last words to his longtime friend and political collaborator.

With his head bowed in prayer, a sombre Kenyatta remained still for several moments before extending his hand towards the grave and continuing his silent reflection.

His entourage, as well as the Odinga clan, could also be seen lost in deep thought as they paid their final - and certainly uninterrupted - respects to a man who had singlehandedly defined the trajectory of Kenyan politics for four decades.

Kenyatta's departure from the Odinga ancestral home would be quickly followed by a stream of more heavyweights as Mama Ida braced herself for an avalanche of high-profile guests who, to this day, still continue to knock on her door, extend their solitude and pose for photos.

Bearing gifts of all kinds, these mourners, many who could not make it to the funeral for one reason or another, and some who may have felt lost in the confusing state protocol and procedural rigmarole, found the perfect opportunity to personally whisper their messages of comfort, sign the condolences book and talk to a more accessible and possibly less heavy-hearted Ida.

Almost every day, a Governor from a certain Kenyan region would be knocking on Ida Odinga's door - bringing with them a buffet of guests drawn from various sectors and with varying political affiliations, all binded by the same agenda.

For 10 days now, Ida Odinga has had to contend with the flood of guests as she tirelessly flings open her Opoda farm to the bustling crowds, flanked by her son Raila Odinga Jnr as well as Ruth Odinga, in what has now become a permanent fixture in the once-quiet compound.

Already, the home has received delegations that are as wide as they are diverse - post-funeral guests have so far included: The Kenyan Arsenal Club fraternity, Ogande Girls School Alumni, Mama Tracy Mudavadi, Royal Media Services Chairman SK Macharia, The Council of Governors, Elders from Kisumu's Kano region, Friends of the late Fidel Odinga and an ODM delegation of party officials and MCAs from the four Nyanza counties.

Other groups have included; Members of the Nyanza Golf Club Association, MCAs from Homa Bay County, the Kikuyu Council of Elders, RMS Editorial Director Linus Kaikai, Fred Matiang'i, Charlene Ruto, Oscar Sudi, former MP Ken Obura, rapper Octopizzo, as well as Governors Simba Arati, Ochilo Ayacko and Ken Lusaka.

On Wednesday alone, exactly two weeks after Raila Odinga was laid to rest, his Opoda home welcomed KANU Chairman Gideon Moi, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, teachers from the Siaya County KUPPET branch, the ODM Women Caucus and Mama Margaret Nyokabi, widow of the first Governor of Nyeri County, the Nderitu Gachagua.

With each visit, a melancholic Mama Ida smiles blankly as she welcomes guests, endures the flutter of cameras, graces photo-ops and accepts a winding trench of sympathies as her son, soldering on and wearing the crown of the Odinga monarchy, exchanges hugs and stoically battles through the loss of the family patriarch.

As the influx of guests continue, some Kenyans on social media have expressed worry for the emotional impact this may have on Mama Ida Odinga, with some suggesting that the visits should now stop so that Mama Ida could enjoy some quiet time and absorb all the outpouring of condolences.

However, they were quickly corrected.

"In the Luo community, mourning never ends," Anthony Arunda wrote on X. "These visits may stretch to several more weeks, even months. It's our way our showing respect and we don't stop when the body is buried. Families continue receiving mourners until the grief is reasonably gone. And even then, the grief never really ends."

As things stand, the Opoda Farm appears to be new epicentre for political optics and grief tourism as more and more notable personalities, groups, organisations and individuals continue swamping the home bearing goodies, kind words and choreographed smiles.

And even after this is over, and weeks turn into months, and months into years, the Raila Odinga gravesite will certainly be one of Kenya's most visited sanctums - and just like that of his father, or the Mzee Jomo Kenyatta mausoleum, it will be a place of meditative learning, inspiration, introspection and decades-long reflection. 

After all, Author Vicki Harrison said: "Grief is like the ocean; it comes in waves, ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim."