Political solidarity took centre stage on September 29, 2026, when Ida Odinga, the widow of veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga, paid a personal visit to Martha Karua’s home alongside daughters Winnie and Rosemary to mourn the passing of Karua’s father.
The three women arrived dressed in coordinated navy blue outfits and were received with warm embraces, a moment captured in photos shared on Karua’s Facebook page.
The visit drew widespread attention, particularly because of the long and often turbulent political history between the Odinga and Karua camps in Kenyan politics.
Karua, who served as Kenya’s Justice Minister and later ran as Raila Odinga’s running mate in the 2022 presidential election, took to Facebook to share her gratitude for the gesture.
Martha Karua speaks on shared grief
“We had a beautiful visit from Mama Ida, Winnie and Rosemary Odinga,” she wrote. “The weight of losing someone who has been such a central part of your life is a grief we sadly share, but one that has also given us a deeper understanding of what it means to hold each other through loss.”
Karua added that the visit was a reminder of the ties that outlast political seasons.
“Through the years, we have shared many seasons of life, and continue to hold bonds that carry us through the difficult moments too. Thank you for coming to be with us and share in our grief,” she wrote.
Ida Odinga is herself no stranger to profound loss, having navigated public life following the death of her husband, Raila Odinga, Kenya’s longest-serving opposition figure.
The shared experience of grief appeared to form the emotional foundation of the visit.
Kenyans react to the show of unity
The post sparked a wave of reactions from Kenyans who were moved by the cross-political show of solidarity. Many praised the gesture as a reminder that personal decency should transcend political rivalry.
@Jaydebruene Waweru Gichuhi said:
“What a gesture from the two of you!? I like it when politics create differences, not enmity.”
@Warugongo Jnr said:
“Yes, our political differences shouldn’t be mistaken for enmity.”
@Limo Ken said:
“And she once assumed you during her husband’s funeral.”
@Majaliwa Simba said:
“My sincere condolences to you and your family.”
