A New, Unchosen Title

NAIROBI, KENYA – Friday, November 7, 2025 (EAT) – In the weeks following the state funeral of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, his widow, Mama Ida Odinga, has offered a poignant look into her new reality, stating, “I'm still learning to live with the 'Raila's widow' tag.” This candid admission, made during a period of intense national and personal grief, has cast a spotlight not only on her personal journey but also on the broader, often severe, societal challenges that confront widows in Kenya.

Speaking from her Bondo home in Siaya County, which has seen an unceasing flow of mourners since her husband's death on October 15, 2025, Mrs. Odinga described the title as a "new name" she never expected to be “baptised with” at her age. Her remarks came as she hosted a delegation from Hope a Life International, a widows' organization, one of countless groups that have made the pilgrimage to the family's home. The sheer volume of visitors has been so overwhelming that the family's schedule for receiving condolences is reportedly booked until December 30, 2025.

The Weight of a Nation's Grief

Since Mr. Odinga's death while receiving medical treatment in India, the family home has transformed into a focal point for national mourning. High-profile figures, including former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, have been among the visitors. Mrs. Odinga has been a figure of profound grace and composure throughout, welcoming hundreds of visitors daily despite her personal sorrow. In her public statements, she has consistently appealed for national calm and unity, reflecting on her husband's forgiving spirit and urging Kenyans to move forward without generational grudges.

Her husband's passing was unexpected, she revealed, stating she saw no signs that he would not return from India. “He left me without a word,” she shared, encapsulating the shock and sorrow of their final parting after more than five decades of marriage. This personal account of loss has provided a humanizing anchor to the departure of a towering political figure, reminding the nation of the private grief behind the public mourning.

Cultural Context: The Harsh Realities of Widowhood in Kenya

Mrs. Odinga's public navigation of her new status holds particular significance in Kenya, where widowhood can bring profound social and economic marginalization. There are an estimated 8 million widows in the country, representing about 15% of the population. For many, the loss of a husband is compounded by harmful traditional practices, property disinheritance, and social ostracization. In some communities, widows are subjected to ritualistic 'cleansing' and are often viewed as a bad omen. Research indicates that widows, particularly in regions like Meru and among the Luo community, often experience a significant decline in self-esteem and face immense pressure as they assume the dual roles of mother and father. These cultural burdens are exacerbated by economic vulnerability and high rates of illiteracy, which can trap widows and their children in a cycle of poverty.

A Legacy of Resilience and Advocacy

Long before her current circumstances, Ida Odinga carved out a formidable identity as an educator, businesswoman, and activist. A University of Nairobi graduate, she worked as a teacher for over two decades before being forced out of her job by the KANU government due to her husband's political activism. During his years of detention as a political prisoner, she raised their four children largely on her own. In 1991, she founded the League of Kenya Women Voters to champion female participation in politics. Her life has been a testament to resilience in the face of political turmoil and personal hardship.

This history of advocacy continues through her philanthropic work. The Dr. Ida Odinga Library, Research, Innovation and Resource Centre at her alma mater, Ogande Girls' High School, is a cornerstone of this legacy. The project, estimated to cost over KSh300 million, aims to be a regional hub for academia and the arts. A 2020 fundraiser for the project raised KSh176.9 million in cash and commitments. However, reports from August 2023 indicated that construction on the ambitious project had stalled, raising concerns about its completion. Despite these challenges, the initiative underscores her long-standing commitment to education and youth empowerment, a focus she reiterated in her recent public appeals for the nation to invest in quality education and robust health institutions in her late husband's name.

As Mama Ida Odinga learns to navigate life with the 'widow' tag, her journey is a powerful and public reflection of the private struggles faced by millions of Kenyan women. Her resilience continues to command national respect, offering a symbol of dignity in the face of profound loss.