“Some Politicians Get Excited!” – Mama Ida Responds to Mbadi’s Controversial Raila Odinga Remarks
Ida Odinga, the late Raila Odinga’s widow, appeared to criticize Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi after he made contentious remarks stating that the country should move on from the former Prime Minister.
On Friday, May 15, during a visit by Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) students to Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Ida defended Raila’s legacy.
She argued that, despite his death seven months ago, his impact lives on.
In an emotional presentation, Ida stated that Raila’s name continues to dominate national discourse on a daily basis, saying that his spirit lives on via those who remember and mention him.
“We still hear his name every day. There’s no particular day I’ll switch on to listen to the news without hearing his name being mentioned,” she said.
“Raila Odinga is still living within us” – Mama Ida Odinga responds to CS John Mbadi in a heartfelt speech at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi. pic.twitter.com/KjrRphMh2Z
— The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) May 16, 2026
Drawing from prominent scholars, Ida referenced William Shakespeare and renowned African scholar John Mbiti to explain why Raila’s memory remains rooted in the country’s history.
She quoted Mbiti’s concept of the ‘living dead’, saying great leaders never truly disappear as long as people continue remembering them.
“And when he talks of the living dead, I think he’s talking about Raila, talking about Jaramogi, and talking about those great people who have left us physically but whose spirit is here with us,” Ida stated.
“Sometimes politicians get very excited because they think he’s gone and they are free. Nothing. We learn from them. This history that they’ve left behind, they are the living dead,” she added.
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Her remarks come just three days after CS Mbadi sparked debate after declaring that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party no longer belongs to one family.
The CS also urged that leaders should stop invoking Raila’s name to influence party affairs.
“Where is that Baba to tell us whether he said it or not?” –These are the statements that have landed CS John Mbadi in hot soup over claims that he disrespected former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. pic.twitter.com/Bpfwjcc38W
— The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) May 11, 2026
“ODM does not belong to a family. You know we have a party where someone, because she is the sister of a party leader, thinks she can also order us around,” Mbadi said.
“This is post-Raila Odinga’s era. Baba is gone. We should move on from him and focus on ourselves,” he added.
Mbadi’s comments triggered mixed reactions among ODM supporters and leaders, with some interpreting them as a direct attack on Raila’s family and inner circle.
“Some Politicians Get Excited!” – Mama Ida Responds to Mbadi’s Controversial Raila Odinga Remarks
