Former Agriculture Cabinet Minister Kipruto Arap Kirwa has come out recounting the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s life before his sudden demise.
Speaking during an interview with a local media house on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, the former minister described Raila as a force whose popularity spans decades compared to his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
On his part, Raila captured four or five more constituencies, unlike his father, who mainly commanded Luo Nyanza.
“Raila Odinga went beyond the popularity of his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. He captured four or five more constituencies, unlike his father, who mainly commanded Luo Nyanza,” Arap Kirwa said.
Likewise, Kirwa, while lauding the government for giving Raila a state funeral, also acknowledged that Raila defied every rule in the book.
“Therefore, the kind of send-off he was given was befitting. In death, just as in life, Raila defied every rule in the book,” said Kipruto Arap Kirwa, former cabinet minister of agriculture.
Raila’s legacy
President William Ruto has echoed the late Raila Odinga’s long-held belief that peace and stability must always come before politics and personal ambition.
Speaking at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County during the Mashujaa Day celebrations on Monday, October 20, 2025, Ruto said that Kenya’s progress depends on unity and tolerance even amid political differences.
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The Head of State, in a powerful reflection inspired by the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, reminded Kenyans that even an imperfect country striving to do better is far superior to one driven by anarchy and endless conflict.
He also praised him as a patriot devoted to Kenya’s progress over personal ambition.
Ruto praises Raila during Mashujaa Day speech
“Those who criticised and faulted Baba for working with us to stabilise the nation simply forget or just don’t care that there are countries in our region that were once stable but later descended into turmoil and disorder,” President Ruto said.
He added that the late Raila Odinga understood the delicate balance between political ambition and national stability.
“For Agwambo, the spectre of a failed nation was too grave to contemplate.
“He reminded us that we may dream big, daring dreams, but without a country and a stable one, they may remain bare wishes,” he said.
