Raila Odinga Junior, the last-born son of the late ODM leader Raila Amolo Odinga, was on Friday seen holding his father’s iconic fly whisk and wearing his grandfather Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s signature hat, a gesture that many have interpreted as a symbolic passing of the political torch within the Odinga dynasty.
During the public viewing of Raila Odinga’s body, which lies in state at Parliament Buildings, the younger Odinga’s appearance with the historic items stood out as more than a personal tribute. It was a powerful, symbolic act laden with political meaning and continuity.
The fly whisk, known as orengo in the Luo language, was one of Raila Odinga’s most recognisable accessories. He used it frequently during public rallies to emphasise points, connect with crowds and pay tribute to the departed. Over time, it became an emblem of his authority and a deep bond with the people.
Similarly, the distinctive hat once worn by Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first Vice President and the founding patriarch of the Odinga family, represents the roots of the family’s political legacy that has shaped Kenya’s democratic journey for decades.
By carrying both symbols, Raila Junior appeared to visually inherit the mantle of leadership from two generations of Odingas, his father and grandfather. The move signalled a possible succession path and reaffirmed the family’s continued presence in Kenya’s political landscape.
Until now, Raila Junior, a businessman and entrepreneur, has largely maintained a low profile away from politics. However, his decision to publicly embrace these family emblems at such a defining moment suggests a deliberate statement of readiness to uphold the Odinga name and its ideals.
The sight of him holding the fly whisk drew emotional reactions from mourners gathered at Parliament, many interpreting it as a gesture of unity and continuity during a time of national mourning.
As the country prepares for the funeral of the late Raila Odinga, a statesman celebrated for his decades-long fight for democracy and justice, the younger Odinga’s quiet yet powerful act may have marked the beginning of a new chapter in one of Kenya’s most enduring political families.
Raila Odinga’s burial is scheduled for Sunday in Bondo, Siaya County.
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