Ruto: How I received the news of Raila’s demise

Title: Ruto Reveals How He Learned of Odinga’s Passing
Nairobi — In an emotional address during the state funeral of Raila Odinga on October 19 in Bondo, President William Ruto recounted the precise moment he was informed of the former prime minister’s death. According to the President, the news reached him around 7 a.m., when Deputy Party Leader Oburu Odinga sent a WhatsApp message indicating that Baba was critically ill, followed minutes later by another call that the beloved opposition figure had passed away.
Ruto described it as one of the most difficult experiences of his life, noting that he immediately reached out to Mrs. Ida Odinga and sought assistance from the Indian government, which had been overseeing part of Odinga’s medical care.
He said that he had been heading to his office at around 6:40 a.m. when he received the message. After confirming the news, he acted swiftly to mobilise diplomatic support for repatriation and to honour Odinga’s legacy.
The revelation has drawn widespread attention across Kenya’s political and civic landscape, as it shed light on the personal relationship between the two leaders. It also underscores the broader national grief at losing a figure who had shaped Kenyan politics for decades. With the country now in a week-long period of mourning declared by the President, the moment of news delivery has become a symbol of the vacuum his passing leav
Looking ahead, Ruto’s account may influence how the public remembers Odinga—and how his successor leaders engage with his legacy. The detailed retelling of the morning’s events elevates the passing from a private tragedy to a moment of national significance. It sets the scene for reflection on Odinga’s political journey, the ongoing unity accord, and Kenya’s path forward as it enters a post-Odinga era.