Political analyst Herman Manyora and constitutional lawyer Charles Nyachae have described the death of Raila Odinga as a moment that will redefine Kenya’s political history, calling it the fall of a “giant tree” whose impact will continue to shape the nation’s destiny.
Speaking during a radio interview in Radio Generation on Thursday, Manyora said that Raila Odinga’s passing represented more than the loss of a political leader, it symbolised the end of an era and the beginning of a complex transition in Kenya’s democracy.
He noted that Odinga’s stature and influence transcended the boundaries of political power, remarking that even without holding state office, he remained “more powerful than any sitting president.”
According to Manyora, Odinga’s life and death mark a “turning point in Kenya’s history” comparable to Julius Caesar’s death in ancient Rome, which altered the course of that civilisation.
He explained that Odinga’s political and moral authority shaped the behaviour of both his allies and adversaries, making his absence a moment of deep uncertainty.
“A tree this big, when it falls, will cause confusion among the birds and break smaller trees,” he observed, describing the far-reaching consequences of Odinga’s death on Kenya’s political order.
Manyora further reflected on the cultural and emotional dimension of Odinga’s final rites, noting that as Africans, people naturally yearn to witness the physical presence of their leaders one last time as part of closure.
He said that the decision to bury Odinga within 72 hours, though in line with his wishes, had left many Kenyans grappling with disbelief and a sense of unfinished mourning.
“We are Africans, and we want to see the body of somebody. We want closure,” he noted, adding that physical presence forms an essential part of collective healing and national reflection.
Manyora also alluded to the spiritual symbolism surrounding Odinga’s life and leadership, suggesting that Raila’s legacy transcends mortality.
“Raila is a spirit,” he said, implying that his ideals of democracy, justice, and equality will continue to guide the nation even in his absence. He added that Kenyans could “engage the spirit of Raila” by continuing his vision for a fair and united country.
On his part, Charles Nyachae echoed Manyora’s sentiments, describing Raila Odinga as a political institution whose influence reached every arm of government and opposition.
He said that Odinga’s political philosophy shaped Kenya’s constitutionalism, governance, and the behaviour of political parties.
Nyachae observed that while Odinga never occupied the presidency, he wielded moral power and legitimacy that few state officials could match.
The analysts agreed that Odinga’s death will leave a vacuum in the country’s leadership, both within his party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), and across the broader political divide.
Manyora said the challenge now rests on Kenya’s leadership class to honour Odinga’s vision by preserving national unity and avoiding divisions that could arise from succession battles.
They further pointed out that Odinga’s life represented a delicate balance between activism and statesmanship, a duality that made him a bridge between the government and the people.
Nyachae remarked that even in opposition, Odinga played a stabilising role in national politics, often influencing the direction of governance, reform, and reconciliation.
As the nation prepares to lay Odinga to rest, the two leaders urged Kenyans to embrace the values he lived for, patriotism, dialogue, and justice. They said that his passing offers the country a moment of reflection on the meaning of democracy and leadership beyond the pursuit of power.