Raila Junior Thanks Ruto for Supporting Construction of Father’s Mausoleum

Raila Odinga Junior has thanked President William Ruto for supporting the construction of his late father Raila Odinga’s mausoleum at the family home in Bondo, Siaya County.

In a message shared on his X account on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, Raila Junior welcomed Ruto to Kang’o ka Jaramogi while acknowledging the President’s role in the ongoing construction of the memorial.

“Your Excellency @WilliamsRuto Asante sana kwa Kutusaidia Kujenga Hiyo Mausoleum ya Baba, Karibu sana,” he said.

The message comes as construction of the mausoleum gathers pace ahead of the first anniversary of Raila’s death.

Raila died on October 15, 2025, aged 80, and was buried four days later at his family home in Bondo. He was laid to rest beside his mother, Mary Ajuma Odinga, at Kang’o ka Jaramogi.

Ruto sets October completion deadline

President Ruto has directed that the mausoleum be completed by October 14, 2026, a day before the first anniversary of Raila’s death.

Speaking during a media engagement in Kisumu on September 14, Ruto said the government was working with the Odinga family to prepare for the anniversary and wanted the memorial completed ahead of the commemorative events.

The project is being overseen by the Ministry of Defence, with the Kenya Defence Forces involved in its implementation.

The government took over the site after the Odinga family handed it over in July to facilitate construction.

The new mausoleum is being built next to the existing Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum, where Raila’s father and Kenya’s first Vice-President is buried.

The wider development is also expected to upgrade the existing Jaramogi memorial and transform the site into a heritage and remembrance centre, with the National Museums of Kenya involved in the heritage component.

Construction reaches 50 per cent

By August 20, construction of Raila’s mausoleum had reached approximately 50 per cent, according to Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru, who inspected the site.

The project was initially expected to be completed by the end of September before Ruto later set October 14 as the new handover deadline.

The memorial is planned to serve more than simply as a burial site. Proposed facilities include exhibition and archival spaces documenting Raila’s political career and contribution to Kenya’s history, alongside visitor facilities and landscaped areas.

The development has attracted considerable attention because of the historical significance of Kang’o ka Jaramogi, which has long been associated with the Odinga family and Kenya’s political history.

Family prepares for first anniversary

The construction comes as the Odinga family prepares to mark the first anniversary of Raila’s death on October 15.

The family has established a committee chaired by Professor Adams Oloo to coordinate activities surrounding the commemorations.

Raila Junior’s message to Ruto comes as construction teams work towards the October 14 deadline.