Millie Odhiambo Recounts Emotional Moment After Raila Odinga’s Death: “I Almost Collapsed Twice”
💔 Shock at State House
Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo has given an emotional account of how she received the devastating news of the death of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
Speaking during the memorial events in Nairobi, the outspoken legislator said she was at State House when President William Ruto broke the sad news.
“When the President said he had bad news, my heart sank. Deep down, I already knew what was coming,” she said tearfully. “I almost collapsed twice. It was the hardest moment of my life.”
According to Odhiambo, the room fell silent as those present struggled to process the gravity of the announcement.
🗣️ Her Final Words with “Baba”
Millie revealed that she had spoken to Raila just a few days before his death while he was undergoing treatment in India. Despite the circulating rumours about his health, he sounded cheerful and joked about the false reports.
“When I asked him how he was doing, he laughed and said, ‘Imagine there are people in Kenya who have already buried me!’” Millie recalled.
“None of us could have imagined that would be our last conversation.”
Those words, she said, now echo in her heart as a reminder of Raila’s strength and sense of humour even in difficult moments.
🙏 A Call for Forgiveness
Odhiambo also addressed the wave of misinformation that preceded Raila’s passing, urging Kenyans to forgive those who spread false news about his health.
“Baba always preached peace and forgiveness. Let’s honour him by forgiving those who mocked or doubted him,” she said.
She praised First Lady Rachel Ruto and the President for their empathy during the national tragedy, noting that “their gesture of compassion showed that humanity must always come before politics.”
🕊️ National Grief and Unity
Across the nation, Raila’s death triggered an outpouring of grief and reflection. Thousands of mourners thronged streets in Bondo, Kisumu, and Nairobi, chanting “Jowi Baba!” and waving orange flags — the symbol of his ODM Party.
Odhiambo described Raila as a “father figure, mentor, and voice of reason” whose contribution to Kenya’s democracy could never be erased.
“Raila Odinga was not just our party leader; he was Kenya’s moral compass,” she said.
“His courage inspired generations, and his absence has left a void that words cannot fill.”
🌅 A Legacy of Resilience
Millie Odhiambo concluded her tribute by urging Kenyans to uphold Raila’s legacy of justice, unity, and truth.
“We must keep his dream alive — the dream of a Kenya that treats every citizen equally, regardless of tribe or status,” she emphasized.
As she spoke, her voice cracked — the pain still fresh, the loss still unimaginable.
“I almost collapsed twice that day,” she repeated softly. “But I stood up — because Baba would have wanted us to remain strong.”
🕯️ In Memory
Raila Odinga’s passing continues to stir emotions across Kenya and beyond. For allies like Millie Odhiambo, the grief is not just political — it’s deeply personal.
Her story mirrors that of millions who saw in Raila not just a leader, but a symbol of hope and endurance.
“He may be gone, but Baba lives on — in the hearts of the people.”
