A Personal Revelation

BONDO, Thursday, October 30, 2025 (EAT) – Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli today offered a rare and deeply personal account of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s character, revealing that Odinga stayed by his side in hospital for nearly three weeks during a health scare in 2024. Speaking to guests gathered at the Odinga family’s ancestral home of Opoda Farm in Siaya County, Atwoli shared the poignant memory as a testament to their decades-long friendship and political alliance.

"Nobody knows that at one time when I was unable to report on duty because I was sick, he himself took it upon himself to take me to the doctor at the hospital," Atwoli recounted. He described how Odinga, despite his own demanding schedule, remained with him for what he recalled as "almost three weeks, just taking care of me." The COTU leader admitted he was fearful of undergoing a necessary surgery, but that Odinga’s encouragement, along with reassurance from his daughter Winnie, gave him the strength to proceed. "It is hard to lose someone like that," Atwoli added, his remarks highlighting a private side to one of Kenya’s most public figures.

A Political Bond Forged Over Decades

The tribute comes just over a year after Odinga, a towering figure in Kenyan politics for over four decades, passed away on October 15, 2024. Atwoli’s comments underscore the profound personal and political relationship the two men shared. As the long-serving head of COTU, Kenya’s largest trade union federation, Atwoli has been a significant political force, representing the interests of millions of Kenyan workers. His alliance with Odinga was a cornerstone of the Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition and a defining feature of the national political landscape for many years.

Their partnership was rooted in a shared history of advocating for political reform and social justice. Odinga, who served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013, was a central figure in Kenya's second liberation and the fight for a multi-party democracy. Atwoli, in his capacity since 2001, has championed workers' rights and was instrumental in mainstreaming labour rights into the 2010 Constitution, a legacy project closely associated with Odinga.

Tribute at a Political Shrine

The setting for Atwoli’s remarks, Opoda Farm, is itself significant. More than just a rural residence, the Bondo home has long served as a political nerve centre for Luo-Nyanza and a crucial meeting point for national leaders. High-profile figures, including former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, have been hosted there, making it a symbolic backdrop for major political statements. By choosing this venue, Atwoli’s personal tribute also served as a powerful public reaffirmation of his loyalty to the Odinga legacy.

In his tribute, Atwoli described the late opposition leader as "the glue that held our country together during moments of political misunderstanding." He emphasized Odinga's ability to fight fiercely for his beliefs while also being willing to compromise for the sake of national unity, a quality he urged current leaders to emulate. "His death should unify Kenya," Atwoli stated, echoing sentiments he shared shortly after Odinga's passing.

The Legacy in a Post-Odinga Era

Atwoli’s emotional recollection provides a humanizing portrait of a political titan and reinforces the deep-seated loyalties that underpin Kenyan politics. As the nation continues to navigate the political landscape following the loss of one of its most influential figures, such tributes serve as a reminder of the personal bonds that often shape public life. The story of Odinga’s quiet, steadfast support for a friend in need offers a lasting image of the man behind the political persona, a legacy of loyalty and compassion that, as Atwoli’s testimony suggests, will endure long after the headlines have faded.