Ruto Skips Raila Odinga’s First Death Anniversary Memorial in Bondo

Although he did not attend the Bondo memorial, Ruto acknowledged the anniversary through a Facebook post featuring a commemorative graphic of the late opposition leader.

The graphic carried the message, “In Loving Memory of Baba Raila Amolo Odinga, 1945-2025.”

The post had attracted more than 115,000 likes by the time this article was prepared.

Ruto’s last visit to Kang’o Ka Jaramogi was on Wednesday, October 7, when he officially commissioned the Raila Amolo Odinga Mausoleum in Bondo.

Constructed by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) under the supervision of the Ministry of Defence, the mausoleum stands beside the grave of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president and Raila’s father.

Its pentagonal design references Raila’s political journey and the Pentagon era in Kenyan politics.

Raila’s State Funeral and Final Journey

Raila’s remains were flown back to Kenya aboard a Kenya Airways flight, arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on October 16, 2025.

Ruto authorised a state funeral with full military honours and declared seven days of national mourning, during which flags were flown at half-mast across the country.