Kalonzo Mourns Raila as a Champion of Kenya’s Second Liberation.
By Peace Muthoka.
October 15, 2025 — Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has mourned the passing of Kenya’s Second Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, describing him as a “force of nature” and the “Champion of the Second Political Liberation.”
In a condolence message released from London, Kalonzo said he received the devastating news of Raila’s death upon his arrival at Heathrow International Airport, where he is on a scheduled 10-day programme.
He paid glowing tribute to Raila, fondly known as ‘Baba’, saying he was more than an enigma and a man who kept going despite the many hurdles he faced.
“Baba was the longest-suffering political detainee in Kenya. At the heart of the struggle for multipartyism, Raila’s body bore the scars of the slings and arrows, bullets and batons that no man or woman should ever endure,” Kalonzo said.
He recalled Raila’s resilience, noting that every time he was released from detention, he raised his arms to the heavens, fist clenched in determination, believing that his suffering would yield democracy and freedom for Kenya.
Kalonzo said that Raila’s struggle for democracy, documented nationally and internationally, earned him the title ‘Agwambo’. He reflected on his professional interactions with him, saying he came to understand why the name carried so much meaning.
From the opposition benches to his time as Prime Minister, Kalonzo said Raila played an instrumental role in devolving power from an imperial presidency to a people-centred constitutional order during the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.
“Since 2013, I had the singular privilege of working very closely and passionately with my brother, twice as his running mate both in CORD and NASA, as well as his partner in the Azimio La Umoja – One Kenya Coalition,” he said. “We learnt a lot from each other and shared a lot of pain together.”
To Mama Ida Odinga and the family Rosemary, Raila Junior, and Winnie Kalonzo extended his solidarity and prayers, saying he and his family stand with them during this painful time.
“Kenya has lost an exemplary leader, the President who won but was never declared and sworn into office. The loss of Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga is not only a loss to his family and country, but also to the entire African continent,” he said.
Kalonzo stated that he is rearranging his engagements in the United Kingdom in honour of his fallen brother.
“May God rest the soul of Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga in everlasting peace,” he said.
