RMS Chairman SK Macharia visits Raila Odinga’s family in Siaya

Royal Media Services Chairman Dr. S.K. Macharia, a long-time close friend of Raila Odinga, on Thursday visited the late former Prime Minister’s family home in Kang’o ka Jaramogi, Siaya County, where he was buried on Sunday.

Dr. Macharia visited Mr. Odinga’s gravesite to honour the departed Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, who died last Wednesday while undergoing treatment in India.

Flanked by Siaya Governor James Orengo and his Homa Bay counterpart Gladys Wanga, the RMS boss thereafter visited Odinga’s widow, Ida, at their Opada farm home in Bondo.

“I came to pat Ida’s back on the loss of her husband, who is also my dear younger brother. We go back with Ida and Raila during Jaramogi’s time,” said Dr. Macharia, referencing Odinga’s father, Kenya’s first vice-president Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

“He told me to take care of his two sons -Raila and Oburu - as I am older than them and we have been close ever since because they are my brothers.”

Dr. Macharia hailed Odinga as “a great man, just like his father,” and vowed to stand in solidarity with his family. “Take heart, Mama Ida, we are with you,” he said.

“The true scope of what Raila gave to this country will be known in the years to come. He gave a lot.”

On her part, Ida thanked Dr. Macharia for his support and friendship to the Odinga family since the early 1990s.

“He has been with us through very many journeys, and I thank him for standing with us. May God bless you abundantly,” she said.

Dr. Macharia has previously described Odinga as a figure whose courage and vision helped shape Kenya’s modern political landscape.

“My family and I have lost a family member, a great friend, and a confidant. Kenya has lost an incredible statesman and a patriot,” he said on Wednesday after his death was announced.

The media mogul hailed Odinga’s lifelong sacrifices for democracy, recalling his years of detention, exile, and political struggle.

Among those who have also visited the Odinga family since Sunday’s burial is former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who returned to Kang’o ka Jaramogi on Monday.