Former Prime Minister and ODM leader Raila Odinga has penned an emotional message to his late father and the first Vice President of Kenya, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Taking to his Twitter account, Raila marked the 26th anniversary of his father’s passing by fondly revealing that Jaramogi’s memories were engraved in his heart and those who knew him.
“26 years ago you took a journey from our beloved country never to return. Your patriotic and selfless actions remain engraved in the hearts of those who knew you and in the collective memory of the nation you helped build. Your memory remains a permanent presence in your absence,” the ODM leader.
In his book Flames of Freedom, Raila revealed that the fateful day his father passed away, the two had met at their company, EA Spectre.
According to Raila, Jaramogi, who was unwell, called him into his office where they spoke for an hour.
The next day, January 20, 1994, Jaramogi was rushed to the Aga Khan Hospital where he was pronounced dead, in the presence of James Orengo, Dr. Olel and Susan (Jaramogi’s wife).
When the news of the death was made known to the public, there were passionate calls that he be granted a state funeral since he was a national leader who had paid the price alongside former Presidents Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Moi.
Moi, however, wanted nothing to do with it. He declined to allow a public viewing or even a state funeral for Jaramogi, but he gave the family the option to choose where they would want his remains to be interred.
Jaramogi was finally buried at his rural Kisumu home, in a funeral that the KANU leaders gave a wide berth.
26 years ago you took a journey from our beloved country never to return. Your patriotic and selfless actions remain engraved in the hearts of those who knew you and in the collective memory of the nation you helped build. Your memory remains a permanent presence in your absence. pic.twitter.com/t8amHO8xY3
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) January 20, 2020