Gospel singer Justina Syokau has once again grabbed public attention with her latest release, a tribute song to President William Ruto for granting the late former prime minister Raila Odinga a state burial.
The song, titled “Rais Ruto Busu”, was released on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, just days after the burial of the long-time opposition leader who passed away while undergoing treatment in India on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
In the song, Syokau expresses her gratitude to President Ruto for what she describes as a historic act of unity and respect for a national icon.
The singer praises Ruto for bringing the country together during a time of mourning and for extending full state honours to Odinga.
“Raisi Ruto, pokea busu mwah! Kwa kumpa Raila state burial. Ukawaunganisha Wakenya wote, ukaleta pamoja viongozi wote. Tunashukuru tunasema asante,” she sings in part.
“Rais Ruto nakupa maua ukiwa hai ninakushukuru kwa kucheza kama wewe. Uliheshimu baba Raila, nakupigia saluti, nakucelebrate mwah!”
She joins other singers who have expressed their admiration for the late prime minister through music, as discussed below:
Justina Syokau/YouTube
Christina Shusho
Gospel powerhouse Christina Shusho also paid homage to the late Raila through a heartfelt song titled “Pumzika Baba.”
In the song, Shusho prays that Raila’s soul finds rest among the ancestors and repeats an emotional chorus asking heaven to receive him in peace.
She hails him as a father of democracy and a pillar of African liberation, vowing never to forget his contribution to the continent’s freedom struggles.
“Baba nenda wee. Mwana magezui wa Africa, mtetezi wa wanyonge. Africa inakulilia. Ulijitoa kwa ajili ya watu kwa ajili ya Kenya. Baba hatutasahau,” she sings.
Rayvanny
Tanzanian singer Raymond Mwakyusa, alias Rayvanny, also released a song, titled “Bye Bye Raila Odinga”, woven with his trademark mellow rhythms and soulful harmonies, creating a tender musical farewell to the late statesman.
In the song, she wishes for the ODM leader to find peace in eternity and even appears as one who is about to cry in the music video teaser he shared on Instagram.
“Bye bye bye bye oh baba bye bye… Bora machozi ya usoni yanaweza isha jioni ila machozi ya moyoni huchuruzika milele,” some of the lyrics say.
Prince Indah
Additionally, Ohangla sensation Evans Ochieng Owino, popularly known as Prince Indah, released a powerful Luo tribute titled “Wuod Oganda, Amolo 3 in 1” in honour of the fallen statesman.
The song opens with a soulful Ohangla rhythm, accompanied by chants praising Agwambo, Jakom, and Joshua, names long associated with Raila’s iconic legacy.
Indah celebrates him as the people’s president and the symbol of unbroken hope for generations, capturing the mood of collective grief across Luo Nyanza and the country at large.
King Kaka
On the other hand, Kenyan rapper King Kaka released a reflective track titled “Huu Wimbo Ni Wako Baba,” on Thursday, October 16, 2025.
King Kaka traces Raila’s lifelong struggle for freedom and democracy, describing him as the father of the nation’s political awakening.
The artiste recalls Raila’s imprisonment, torture, and years of political resistance, portraying him as a man who bore the pain of a nation yet remained steadfast.
“Huu wimbo ni wako Baba Natarajia, uko salama? Nakumbuka ulivyokazana, na sura yako itakumbuka. Baba democracy, yaani umefuata nyayo,” King Kaka sings.
Mr Seed
Singer Mr Seed also honoured Raila with an emotional rendition built around one of the late leader’s favourite classics, “Farewell Jamaica”.
In the tribute, the track’s original melody gently plays before Mr Seed’s soulful voice blends in, pouring out raw grief.
He is seen in the video holding the microphone tightly, his body slightly bent forward as though overwhelmed by emotion.
Bahati
Furthermore, Kenya’s own gospel-turned-secular artiste Bahati released a song for Raila titled “Bye Bye.”
In the song, Bahati returns to his earlier gospel-inspired sweet singing style that defined his early career when he was still a born-again artiste.
He sings about being full of tears and describes Raila’s death as a wound that refuses to heal.
