Raila Odinga’s longserving aide Dennis Onyango has recounted some of the moments he shared with the late former Prime Minister prior to his passing on October 15, 2025.
Speaking to KMB Media, Onyango mentioned that Raila was seemingly aware that his time was almost nearly a year before his death. His conversations, actions and plans in his final year suggested he was preparing to wind up his life’s work and put affairs in order.
“From a year earlier, I told people this man seems to know his time is up,” Onyango said.
“I knew that Raila knew his time was up from the way we were talking and from the instructions he was giving.”
Onyango, who served as the official Raila Odinga Secretariat spokesperson, recalled Raila’s trip to Germany in February 2024, when the former ODM leader returned to his alma mater. Raila wanted to clear up details about his education, especially where the public record had left gaps.
“During the entire tour, he kept asking if I had carried my notebook, just to make sure we got the facts right. I could see this guy wanted to tie loose ends,” he recalled.
By September, Onyango said, Raila was discussing plans to support projects at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
“He told me some of his friends wanted to establish a department on Mining and Extractive Industry. I suggested they could also set up a Raila Odinga School of Government. But he told me categorically, ‘Those things you do posthumous when I’m gone,'” Onyango said.
When someone asked whether he planned to build his own mausoleum, Raila reportedly declined.
“He said, ‘No, we all belong to the Jaramogi Museum. It’s a family museum. They have given me a corner. I will stay there,'” Onyango recounted.
According to Onyango, Raila’s plans also included launching the Raila Odinga Foundation and holding meetings with Oburu Odinga and Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o to streamline the Foundation’s operations. This plan was to happen after his trip to India.
“These are things he was supposed to do when he returned from India,” Onyango said.
He also pointed out Raila was qute active and energetic despite his age-related health issues.
“People talk as if he was not old,” Onyango said, adding: “He had back pain, knee pain, and other issues. Doctors told him to rest for three weeks, but he couldn’t stay home for even three days. He would say he was fine and hit the road again.”
Onyango also mentioned he had urged Raila to take time off and travel abroad to rest.
“Politicians wanted him everywhere. I am one of the people who pushed him to get out of the country and go rest somewhere.”
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