Mama Ida Odinga has warned politicians against turning her late husband Raila Odinga's grave into a political battleground. She also apologised to guests who were booed and intimidated at his first death anniversary memorial in Bondo.

In a statement issued on Saturday, October 17, two days after the commemoration at Migwena Grounds in Siaya County, the former Prime Minister's widow said the family was disappointed by the booing, shouting and heckling directed at some invited guests.

"His resting place must never become a battleground for political rivalries. Neither should our family's grief be turned into an occasion for settling political scores." — Ida Odinga

"Deeply disturbing" reports of paid hecklers

Ida said reports that some people had been paid and transported to the venue to heckle, intimidate or disrupt guests were "deeply disturbing," according to The Standard and Citizen Digital. She said such conduct showed grave disrespect to the family, to Raila's memory and to the thousands of mourners who came in peace.

"On behalf of the Odinga family, I offer our sincere and unreserved apologies. You came to stand with us at a deeply personal moment, and you deserved to be received with courtesy, warmth and respect," she said.

The statement did not name the guests who were targeted or the people believed to be behind the disruptions.

Defending the guest list

Ida also answered critics who had faulted the family for inviting opposition figures to the event. She said Raila built friendships, disagreed and later reconciled with people across the political divide, and that the invitations reflected "that lifetime of relationships," People Daily reported.

"Every guest we invited was welcome. The Odinga family does not quarrel with any of them," she said. She added that an invitation to a family commemoration was "an expression of fellowship, not a summons," and that neither attendance nor absence should be read as disagreement with the family.

She called on political leaders to exercise restraint, keep order and make sure their supporters respect others even where they disagree. Reflecting on more than 50 years of marriage, she described Raila as a man who defended the freedom to disagree, endured persecution and understood the value of dialogue and reconciliation. Those who claim to honour him, she said, must be ready to uphold those values.

"His legacy is far greater than the political disagreements of the moment," The Standard quoted her as saying. "Let us honour Raila not only through what we say about him, but also through how we treat one another."

A memorial caught up in 2027 politics

The anniversary took place amid open competition over Raila's political inheritance. The Standard reported that sections of the Migwena crowd chanted for ODM leader Oburu Oginga, who did not attend as he continues to recover from illness. Opposition figures who attended, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, have since blamed the government for the chaos. Sifuna described it as "State-sponsored," a claim the government has not addressed.

Raila's own family and ODM have also differed over how the anniversary should be marked. ODM is holding a month-long "Mwezi wa Baba" programme of rallies across the country, while the family ran its own commemorations in Bondo between October 10 and 15.

Ida, who is Kenya's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Environment Programme, nonetheless thanked President William Ruto for supporting the family, particularly with the construction and completion of Raila's mausoleum at Kang'o ka Jaramogi. The President formally handed over the mausoleum earlier this month. She also thanked the memorial steering committee, religious leaders, volunteers and the Kenyans and visitors from across Africa who travelled to Bondo.

Raila died on October 15, 2025, while receiving treatment in India.

Photos: Mama Ida Odinga speaking at the first anniversary memorial in Bondo (Citizen Digital); engraved image of Raila Odinga at his mausoleum in Kang'o ka Jaramogi (PCS via Capital FM).