A close aide to the late Raila Odinga, Dennis Onyango, has disclosed that the veteran opposition leader had expressed a wish to be buried within 72 hours of his death, a directive that was ultimately honored according to his will.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV’s Sunday Live, Onyango recounted a personal conversation with Odinga that took place shortly after the death of Francis Ogolla. According to him, the former Prime Minister spoke candidly about how he would want his own burial arrangements handled.
“He told me, even me, when I die, I want that thing done in 72 hours,” Onyango revealed.
The conversation reportedly occurred while Onyango was in Migori following General Ogolla’s death. Odinga had referenced the military chief’s burial plans, noting that Ogolla had left instructions in his will requesting to be laid to rest within three days.
Inspired by General Ogolla’s Burial Wishes
According to Onyango, Odinga admired the clarity with which General Ogolla had outlined his final wishes.
“When General Ogolla died, I was in the village in Migori. Raila wanted to go to Ogolla’s home and he told me the guy wrote in the will that he be buried in 72 hours. Then he said that is the way I would also want to be buried,” Onyango recounted.
At the time, Onyango admitted that he did not take the remarks seriously and assumed Odinga was speaking casually.
“I told him nobody would accept those things. I thought he was joking. So when I got to Karen and I was told it was 72 hours, I thought this guy, he was serious,” he added.
The revelation has provided fresh insight into the personal wishes of one of Kenya’s most influential political figures, nearly eight months after his passing.
Final Conversations Before His Death
Onyango also opened up about his final interactions with Odinga while the veteran politician was undergoing treatment in India.
According to the longtime aide, Odinga sounded optimistic and appeared to be recovering well. During their last phone conversation, he reportedly informed Onyango that doctors had addressed his medical concerns and that he planned to travel briefly to Dubai before returning to Nairobi.
“He sounded very okay. He told me they had checked everything and treated the problem,” Onyango recalled.
The remarks paint the picture of a leader who remained hopeful and focused on future plans despite his health challenges.
Legacy Projects Remained a Priority
Beyond politics, Onyango revealed that Odinga had ambitious plans aimed at preserving his ideas and contribution to governance across Africa.
Among the projects discussed were the establishment of a Raila Odinga School of Democracy and Governance, a foundation bearing his name, and the publication of speeches documenting his decades-long political journey and Pan-African vision.
According to Onyango, discussions about legacy projects often met a relaxed response from Odinga, who believed such initiatives could continue even after his death.
“Raila talked about death very casually,” Onyango said.
The aide revealed that he is currently working on compiling Odinga’s speeches into a book expected to be published later this year. He noted that the former ODM leader had personally tasked him with ensuring that his ideas, speeches, and political philosophy would be preserved for future generations.
A Leader Always Looking Forward
Reflecting on their years together, Onyango described Odinga as a man constantly focused on the future, rarely dwelling on setbacks or personal concerns.
He said the veteran politician remained deeply invested in discussions about Kenya, governance, democracy, and Africa’s development until his final days.
“Raila’s life, Raila’s style was to move. Whatever has happened, has happened, you move,” Onyango said.
The revelations have offered Kenyans a rare glimpse into the personal side of Odinga, highlighting a leader who approached mortality with remarkable calmness while remaining committed to his vision for the country and the continent.