The President of Kenya, William Ruto, has paid an emotional tribute to the late Raila Amolo Odinga, the former Kenyan Prime Minister, describing him as one of the country’s most influential defenders of democracy and a central figure in Kenya’s political evolution.

Addressing the nation at the country’s 62nd Jamhuri Day celebration on Friday, December 12, 2025, Ruto reflected on Kenya’s long struggle for freedoms beyond political independence, noting that each generation has been called upon to confront new forms of oppression.

“This generation produced towering figures whose sacrifice expanded the democratic space we enjoy today. Foremost among them was the late Right Honorable Raila Amolo Odinga, a stalwart of our country's democratic journey, who left us just under two months ago,” he said.

The President recounted the turbulent periods of Kenya’s history, from colonial rule to the era when dissent was suppressed and democratic expression tightly controlled.

Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga dies in India aged 80

He said Raila represented the courage that kept hope alive during those difficult years.

“Raila devoted his life to the pursuit of freedom, justice and peaceful coexistence. His courage, resilience and unwavering belief in the power of the people shaped defining chapters of our national story and inspired generations to believe that change is possible,” the president stated.

In a broader reflection on Kenya’s journey since independence, Ruto recalled the warnings of founding figures such as Jomo Kenyatta and Tom Mboya, who stressed that the real challenge after independence was transforming the lives of ordinary citizens and confronting poverty, disease, and ignorance.

The President emphasised that Kenya’s democratic gains were secured through the sacrifices of activists, clergy, students, journalists and politicians who resisted detention, torture and exile.

Among them, he said, Raila Odinga stood out for his lifelong commitment to widening freedoms.

“Today fellow citizens, history turns its gaze upon us and asks, faced with the challenges of our time, have we stepped up as they did? When he took the order of office, Jomo Kenyatta warned us that independence would mean nothing if it did not improve the daily lives of ordinary citizens. Tom Mboya reminded the nation that the greatest struggle and indeed the hardest struggle was not political independence alone but development itself, the economic empowerment of our people and the unlocking of their full potential,” he indicated.

“They stood and they understood that freedom was only the beginning that the deeper battle would be against poverty that chains potential, against disease that steals opportunity, and against ignorance that deems human possibility. Today, we are gathered to mark Jamuhuri Day. We do more than remember history. We honor the architects of our nation for giving us the first great watershed period in our nation building, political independence,” he added.

MAG/AE

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