Ruto hails Raila as patriot at Mashujaa Day in Kitui

Kenyan President William Ruto honored former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Sunday at Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kitui County and dedicated the national holiday to the statesman who died on Oct. 15 in India after a cardiac arrest. Ruto outlined five lessons from Odinga’s life: placing national interests above personal ambition, demonstrating unconditional love for Kenya, bridging political divisions for stability, promoting unity beyond tribal boundaries, and maintaining optimism through adversity. The president recalled Odinga’s 2002 endorsement of rival Kibaki Tosha as evidence of leadership transcending ethnic politics.

Kenya observed the fifth day of a seven-day mourning period as flags flew at half-mast. Odinga received full state honors with a 17-gun salute before burial at his family’s gravesite in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi on Sunday. Ruto credited Odinga with helping form the broad-based government when political tensions escalated last year. The late prime minister was buried with his trademark white hat and flywhisk in a private ceremony within 72 hours of his death.