Former President Daniel Moi blocked Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga from attending his mother’s burial.
Ms Mary Ajuma died in 1984 at a time when Mr Odinga was in detention after he was linked to the failed 1982 coup.
In his most recent interview with NTV, Mr Odinga faulted the Kenya African National Union (KANU) for blocking him from attending the event which was key to the family.
“It took over six months before one could be handed a letter sent to them, for instance – I was sent a Christmas message in December and it took six months to receive it. Even when my mother died, the family sent me a telegram to inform me but this never happened,” Mr Odinga said.
Mr Odinga’s family tried to negotiate for his release in vain and he was informed about the death and burial ceremony three months after it had ended.
However, Raila said that he had to keep it a secret until the day the state could inform him about it otherwise he could have raised eyebrows that someone had leaked the information to him.
He told the television station that when an officer broke the news to him, he had no option but to break down in tears.
Ms Ajuma was buried at the Oginga family cemetery at his Kang’o Ka Jaramogi home in Bondo, Siaya County, which is now a museum.
Despite the death, Odinga stayed in the cells until February 6, 1988, and never underwent any trial.
In September, he was again re-arrested when he kicked off human rights campaigns which offended the former head of state.
He could later be released in 1991 after which he fled to Norway.