Time of fundamental reflections

Time of fundamental reflections & revelations, in celebration & memory of one of Kenya’s greatest historical figures and icons:

The October 12th, 2025 week started normally and we, in our human limitations, could not have expected any monumental occurences.

Then suddenly on the fourth day, Wednesday 15th, news of the sudden demise of Hon Raila Amollo Odinga reached us.

Like many other Kenyans, I received the news with sadness and shock. I did not know what to expect but decided to keep tuned to Inooro TV for updates as i went about my other daily business including chore needing my attention.

A friend almost like no other:

Consequently, Inooro TV (one of my favorite channels) suspended all its normal broadcasting to keep viewers updated with live coverage of some of the most important activities that were related to the demise.

The station, as usual creatively managed time with live coverage and extra studio programming including having political analysts and experts in its studios to professionally explain and expound the unfolding situation in a sign of great love and sacrifice and most evidently to honour Kenya’s fallen Hero.

The unique coverage during, waking hours, extended up to the very moment when the fallen hero was laid to rest and with a few more hours of analysis after the historic event had formally ended.

I was not much surprised, therefore, on October 23rd–four days after the burial–, when I watched a live coverage of the  ongoing tributes and last respect activities still ongoing at Hon Raila’s home.

The inooro TV live coverage detailed the visit to Raila’s home by Royal Media Services, RMS, Chairman, Dr Macharia. It dawned on me how close the two friends had been. 

Dr Macharia traced his rapport and friendship with the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s family to the early 1990s when he met one of the most celebrated doyens of Kenya’s political liberation efforts and struggles.

When he met Mr Odinga at the family’s business office in Agip house, Nrb CBD, the man was quite aged and rather weak and as he helped him to reach the ground Flr from 5th floor, the man told Dr Macharia: “I’ve two sons namely Dr. Oburu Odinga and Eng. Raila Odinga. Please take care of them.”

The appeal sealed the friendship between the two families with the Dr Macharia’s confession and testimony explaining his utter commitment to helping and staying close to the family.

 In reflection, one easily appreciates Dr. Macharia’s enigmatic and enduring love for this family.. One can surmise that Dr. Macharia is indeed a true and dedicated friend of the family – – a true friend indeed and for a friend for all seasons….

…..

.a time of revelations and true knowledge:

During the solemn mourning days, I appreciated the fact that Rt Hon Raila was indeed God favoured and anointed. He was almost like a prince as the son of Mr Jaramogi and enjoyed the trappings of power as a child even pursuing his secondary education in the then east Germany. He traveled to Germany under an Egyptian passport and help and ended up as a mechanic engineer, a truth that refuted previous and malicious rumors, peddled by his haters, that he had not reached this position.

Elaborate images of his journey from childhood through to teenage and young adulthood confirmed the truths versus the previous rumors and falsehoods

The detailed reports of the sufferings he went through trying to escape to Norway as an exile and through a quite risky boat ride through Lake Victoria to Uganda and using fake papers provided by a friend highlighted some of the tough things he went through in addition to detentions and imprisonment and torture. At one point, one of his tormenters hit his face with a chair and the injury led to uncontrollable tearing of his eyes which he lived with to his grave. 

Moving testimonies, from people from all parts of the country, detailing his love, concern and help helped me to really understand the real caring and loving person that he indeed was versus the false ‘stories’ earlier peddled against him.

As a mortal man, he had own foibles and weaknesses and this is fact that I appreciated.

I am yet to fully understand why his fans and supporters had almost a fanatical love for him though i guess this emanated from historical factors and his great sacrifices and love for Kenya and her people.

The unfortunate occurences during the mourning and viewing of his body indicated how difficult it could have been for him in trying to control the multitudes & crowds of followers and i now could no longer blame him for the evident errors that followed the huge crowds many times he held mammoth rallies and meetings… ….

And now better informed and enlightened, I feel ready to undertake the task of correcting Kenya’s liberation struggles and efforts history without unwarranted prejudice.

I have now realized how poignant his efforts were and equally how poignantly painful his death  has been to the Kenyan people😥🤔🙏🏿……

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