“Finish Well”: Dr. Reuben Kigame Reflects on the Life and Legacy of Raila Odinga in Honest and Stirring Tribute

 

As tributes continue to pour in from across Kenya and around the world following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, presidential candidate and Christian thought leader Dr. Reuben Kigame has offered one of the most reflective and balanced homages yet — a deeply personal and philosophical meditation on the meaning of leadership, legacy, and mortality.

In a widely shared written tribute titled “Reflections on the Life and Times of Raila Amolo Odinga,” Kigame draws from Scripture, literature, music, and personal memory to honour the man many simply knew as “Baba.” His words, honest and poignant, are both a celebration of Raila’s achievements and a sober reckoning with his perceived failures.

“He was the enigmatic embodiment of multiparty democracy, resilience and nationalism — or simply, Baba,” Kigame wrote. “He fought for justice and always dreamed of a better Kenya — Canaan, as he liked to refer to it.”

Raila Odinga, who died at the age of 80 in Kochi, India on October 15, 2025, after a sudden medical episode, was not just a political figure to millions of Kenyans. He was a symbol of resistance, hope, and for some, unfulfilled promise. Dr. Kigame’s reflection captures all of this — with reverence, but without romanticism.

More Than a Politician: Remembering the Man Behind the Movement

While their direct interactions were limited to a few occasions — mostly at family funerals — Dr. Kigame recalled Raila Odinga as a “jovial, simple person” who took time to mourn with ordinary Kenyans, attending the funerals of Kigame’s relatives in the Onduto and Oywaya families.

“I wish the meeting that was being planned between us materialized,” Kigame noted. “But even from afar, you could see that Raila cared. He showed up — not for politics, but for people.”

He painted a multifaceted portrait of the late leader: a loving husband to Ida, a father to the late Fidel, a comrade-in-arms to fellow political detainees, a “riddle man” to some, a traitor to others, but a hero to many. In his words, Raila was both deeply controversial and unshakably significant.

A Life of Struggle, Purpose and Paradox

Quoting Psalm 90:10 — “The years of our life are seventy, or eighty if we are strong…” — Kigame reflected on the significance of Raila reaching 80 years, describing him as a “strong man” who bore the weight of national expectations and struggle for decades.

However, the tribute does not shy away from contradiction. Kigame openly wrestled with the duality of Raila’s legacy — a man who ran a good race for most of his life, yet faltered near the finish line.

“If there is one aspect Raila disappointed Kenya in, it is this aspect of running so, so well, but finishing badly. Many of us feel that he betrayed us in his sunset years.”

This critique, though carefully worded, points to a broader generational disillusionment — a feeling that Raila’s latter-day political moves, including controversial alliances and silence on key national injustices, marked a drift from the ideals he once embodied.

Kigame specifically cited Raila’s absence during the 2023-2024 youth-led protests against the Finance Bill, his silence during the mistreatment of leaders like Martha Karua and Justice Willy Mutunga, and the lack of outspoken support for activists like Boniface Mwangi and opposition figures across Africa.

Four Life Lessons: What Raila Taught Us

Organizing his reflection around four major lessons, Kigame used Raila’s life to invite both citizens and leaders to reexamine their own journeys:

 Life is Short

He warned that many people — especially those in power — live as though death will never reach them.

“They live large, trample on others, enjoy the big cars, the clearing of traffic for them… forgetting that in the end they will breathe their last.”

Quoting lyrics from Alphaville’s classic “Forever Young”, Kigame reminded Kenyans that even the greatest leaders pass on, and the wise live with that awareness.

Live with Purpose

Raila’s steadfast pursuit of democratic reform, even at personal cost, was commended.

“He knew that his mission was to fight for justice,” Kigame wrote, while also lamenting what he saw as a gradual retreat from those ideals in recent years.

He encouraged all Kenyans to ask: Why are we alive? What will we be remembered for?

Mentor and Pass the Baton

Perhaps one of the most pointed observations in the tribute was Raila’s failure to nurture and clearly hand over leadership.

“Everything in his lifetime oscillated around him and his charisma,” Kigame observed. “It is not easy to see who is the next Raila.”

Drawing parallels with Asian families where children are groomed into professions from a young age, Kigame emphasized the importance of intentional mentorship in politics, faith, and civic life.

Finish Well

This was the recurring theme of the tribute: that beyond how one starts or performs midway, how a person finishes their race defines the ultimate legacy.

“Imagine a thesis with a great literature review and findings, but no conclusion. That’s how many of us feel about Raila’s last chapter.”

Referencing his own Christian journey, Kigame urged Kenyans — especially leaders — to pursue a faithful and dignified ending, rather than clinging to power or compromising long-held values.

Hope Beyond the Grave

Despite his critiques, Kigame ended on a hopeful note — praying that Raila made peace with God in his final days. He recalled how the former Prime Minister often quoted Scripture and turned to the Bible during his detention years.

“May the God of the Bible help him home and hold the trembling hands of the family and those who loved him dearly.”

He closed with lyrics from his own 2002 song “Ombi Langu” — a prayer not to lose sight of eternity after years of ministry and service. It is a sentiment he now applies to Raila’s political and public life.

A National Lesson in Legacy

As Kenya prepares for a state funeral for one of its most iconic political figures, Kigame’s tribute stands out for its depth, honesty, and moral clarity. It is not a mere eulogy. It is a sermon, a critique, and a call to self-examination — urging not just admiration, but reflection.

“Whatever you make of Raila’s life, whatever the lessons you pick from his life,” Kigame concluded,