By GPC News Desk
Ida Odinga has apologised to guests who were heckled and intimidated during the first anniversary commemorations of her husband, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, recently.
She accused sections of the political class of disrespecting Odinga’s legacy.
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In a statement, Ida expressed regret over disruptions at the memorial, saying invited guests deserved courtesy and respect regardless of their political affiliations.
“To every guest who was subjected to such treatment, I offer, on behalf of the Odinga family, our sincere and unreserved apologies,” she said.
She said reports that some individuals had been paid and transported to the gathering to heckle guests were disturbing, describing the alleged actions as disrespectful to the family and mourners who attended peacefully.
Ida also thanked President William Ruto for supporting the family, particularly in the construction and completion of Raila’s mausoleum.
She said the family’s invitations reflected the former Prime Minister’s relationships across the political divide and should not be interpreted as political endorsements.
“An invitation to a family commemoration is an expression of fellowship, not a summons,” she said, adding that the family had no quarrel with any of the guests it invited.
The commemorations brought together political leaders, religious figures and members of the public to celebrate Raila’s life, a year after his death.
Ida criticised the conduct of some political leaders during the event, saying they had a responsibility to exercise restraint and ensure their supporters respected others despite political differences.
“Our invitation was an assurance of welcome. No political disagreement entitled anyone to dishonour it,” she said.
She recalled her more than 50 years of marriage to Raila, describing him as a man who believed in the freedom to disagree but also valued dialogue and reconciliation.
No battleground
Ida warned against turning her husband’s resting place into a battleground for political rivalries or using the family’s grief to settle political scores.
“His resting place must never become a battleground for political rivalries,” she said.
She appealed to political leaders and their supporters to respect the family, invited guests and the sanctity of the mausoleum.
Raila, a veteran opposition leader who served as Kenya’s Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013, remained a central figure in the country’s politics for decades and maintained relationships with leaders across the political divide.
Ida thanked the thousands of people who travelled to Bondo to pray, sing, share memories and celebrate her husband’s life, saying their support had comforted the family.
She urged Kenyans to honour Raila’s legacy by embracing tolerance and mutual respect.
“May Raila’s memory continue to inspire us to build a Kenya in which people can disagree without becoming enemies,” she said.
