Young Law Student Recalls Life-Changing Encounter with Raila Odinga in Heartfelt Tribute

 

As tributes continue to pour in from across Kenya and the world following the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, a young law student from Uasin Gishu County has shared a moving personal account of her defining encounter with the late statesman — an experience that, she says, transformed her approach to leadership and self-belief.

Chesang B. Samoei, a student at Kenyatta University School of Law and an aspiring young political leader, met Raila Odinga on October 17, 2023, during a high-level democracy forum hosted by the YALA Organisation under the theme “Evaluating Kenya’s Democracy.”

Speaking to media during Raila’s memorial week, Chesang — known to many of her peers as “Wakili Mdogo” — recounted her surprise and humility at being invited to a private debrief with Raila after the panel session, where she had served as a youth representative and panelist.

“Until that day, I only knew Raila Odinga as a name spoken with reverence — a man who seemed distant from ordinary people like me,” she said. “But in just a few moments, he made me feel like I belonged — like I had a voice and a place at the table.”

During the closed-door meeting, she introduced herself as a student leader from Timboroa, a small village in Uasin Gishu County, prompting Raila to jokingly ask whether she had been sent by President William Ruto to extend an olive branch on matters of national unity. At the time, Raila was firmly in the opposition.

Chesang said she used that moment to express her admiration for his courage and political resilience, and to share her ambition to one day serve her community, her county, and eventually the country.

What happened next left a lasting impact on her.

“He looked at me kindly and said, ‘You are already in the right spaces for what you want. The rest will come with grace and readiness.’ That statement changed me. It gave me the confidence to walk into rooms with purpose and to never doubt my dreams.”

In a gesture she described as both surreal and empowering, Raila instructed his aides to include Chesang in his official delegation for the day and offered her a seat on the podium during his keynote address — an experience that left her feeling “truly seen for the first time.”

A Statesman Beyond Politics

Chesang’s account sheds light on a lesser-known side of Raila Odinga — one not defined by political battles, but by his role as a mentor, teacher, and bridge-builder.

She also revealed that Raila used the opportunity to share his disappointment over the early exit of her former MP, Dr. Swarup Mishra, whom he said he had mentored personally. But, she noted, the discussion quickly turned into a powerful lesson about leadership beyond political affiliations.

“He reminded us that mentorship knows no tribe, no gender, no party. What matters is integrity, purpose, and service to the people,” she added.

From Loss to Leadership

Chesang had attended the event while still processing the pain of losing a student election for Female Congress at Kenyatta University. She now says the experience of meeting Raila became a turning point in her life.

“That encounter gave me back my voice. I began to approach leadership with courage, faith, and confidence,” she said. “Raila Odinga taught me that to lead is to serve — with conviction, humility, and resilience.”

A Message to the Next Generation

As Kenya mourns one of its most influential political figures, Chesang’s story offers a personal perspective on the legacy Raila Odinga leaves behind — one not only rooted in national struggle, but in the lives he touched individually.

“We have lost a national icon, but his dream lives on in us — the young people he believed in, spoke to, and made room for,” she said. “Thank you, Baba, for making us believe we, too, can lead.”

Her tribute has since gained traction on social media, resonating especially with young Kenyans who saw Raila Odinga as a symbol of possibility, democracy, and generational mentorship.

Remembering "The Enigma"

Raila Odinga, who passed away earlier this week, will be laid to rest following a state funeral attended by global and local dignitaries. As Kenyans continue to mourn, stories like Chesang’s serve as a reminder that the former Prime Minister was not only a political titan, but a man whose compassion, mentorship, and belief in youth helped shape the next generation of leaders.

“Rest well, The Enigma,” Chesang concluded in her tribute. “Your dream for a better Kenya remains alive in us.”