Following news of Raila Odinga's passing after treatment in India, Kenyans have turned to poetry to mourn the veteran politician. Poems published in Taifa Leo highlight his legacy in democracy and leadership. The tributes emphasize national sorrow on October 15.
In a wave of collective mourning, several Kenyan poets contributed elegies to Taifa Leo, capturing the profound loss felt across the nation upon the announcement of Raila Odinga's death. The poems, under titles like 'Mti umeshaanguka' and 'Buriani Raila,' portray Odinga as a towering figure—'Baba wa Demokrasia' and 'Jemedari wa mageuzi'—who fought for multi-party democracy, justice, and national unity.
One poem recounts the morning of Wednesday, October 15, when the news struck like a sudden blow, leaving the country in shock: 'Kulikucha Jumatano, kama siku kawaida, Ikafika saa hino, kwamba kifo metuponda.' Contributors such as Wanjohi P. Mugambi, Aggrey Juma, and Yitzhak Mwago describe Odinga's life of struggle, including his battles against oppression, his role in constitutional reforms, and his international recognition. They lament the void left in politics, questioning who will inherit his courage and vision: 'Umemrithisha nani? Ushujaa wako nchini.'
The poems also reference Odinga's final journey to India for medical treatment, where complications led to his demise, spreading sorrow nationwide. Tributes urge peace for his family, including brother Oburu, and affirm his enduring legacy: 'Buriani Baba Raila, Wakenya tutakukosa.' These verses reflect a balanced view of grief mixed with gratitude for his contributions to Kenya's democratic history, without resolving the political future they evoke.