By Lilian Owaga- Author and Creative Writer

There is this Swahili saying or phrase of ‘yote tisa, kumi…’ which is normally used to imply, when all has been said and done, there remains one important thing; one point of focus.

Everything has been said about the late political enigma, words of gratitude for all that he did for his country and praises for his good works and attributes, all of which he truly deserves.

Reflecting on Life , Death and the Meaning of Eternal Rest

Since everyone has focused on how he lived his life, the impact he has left behind, and the fruits of all his labours, I choose to focus on his life after death, where exactly we presume and hope he should be; and this, in relation to my own life.

I find that I am so interested, so engrossed in contemplating what life here on earth means to us and how it affects our afterlife, because after all, I am a believer who knows well that life doesn’t end here and, in fact, it only begins the moment it ends.

Raila Odinga’s life was full of all aspects of a true Christian and what Christianity demands of us in regards to how we relate with one another and how we generally travel through this exile and vale of tears.

Now we know for sure that death is attached to every soul and with his passing, the prayer of preparation for death and courage during this dreadful hour arose in my conscience, as well as the need to focus on the witness that should be testified on my behalf when the moment comes that my body no longer stands with my soul, when I am defenceless before the eternal seat of justice and in need of the prayers of my living brethren.

It is the mammoth crowd that accompanied the entire mourning process of this legendary politician that prompted me to contemplate what exactly the value of this life in relation to when you are gone.

At first, I got concerned of his destiny since it is said that when you are so much celebrated on earth, the case could be different in afterlife, but after considering his attributes, nothing leaves a room for doubt regarding where his soul rests, even if we don’t know his personal life, I want to believe that his public merits should suffice to atone for his personal defects.

Read more: The Life and Legacy of Raila Odinga

A Life of Humility, Forgiveness and Patriotism

Everything about his entire life is full of selflessness, sacrifice, forgiveness, peacefulness, humility, and patience in humiliation; all of which are the core attributes and characters of real Christianity.

In his selflessness comes the love of neighbor, which he demonstrated by his constant notion of ‘Kenya first’ and urging everyone to think of our country before their personal interests.

He accompanied this by insisting on maintaining peace even when it meant humiliation after humiliation for him, for his political aspirations, his family, and his community.

He still endured patiently every time he lost elections and had to humiliate himself by collaborating with the ruling government for the sake of the country’s peace, despite the critical response that he received from citizens.

Forgiveness came so easily for him, which is clearly seen in how quickly he was to reconcile with his political opponents, even when he and the majority of the country were sure he had won the elections but served with injustice.

About his sacrifices, his entire life is a perfect definition, for the results of his sacrifices could be first perceived in his voice, even by anyone who had never known his story.

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Suffering as the Path to Eternal Reward

This was a man who spent years in prison, exposed to severe treatment and extreme torture. He hit the streets severally times to fight for the weak, enduring the shameful and harsh treatment that all demonstrators are bound to receive, including torrents of water cannoning and teargas.

No one can put themselves through all these for the sake of personal interests. Anyone would put aside pretense and stop at the point of torture and humiliation to find another shortcut to satisfy their interests, yet the legend persisted!

Didn’t the Messiah say, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends?”. Raila’s life depicted this picture, for he never hesitated to show this manner of love, very ready to sacrifice his own life for the sake of his friends, his countrymen.

We may not know his personal life, but the general opinion of the majority is that he was a good man, but that is a judgment that we leave for the Supreme Judge, in whose presence he stands with our prayers and hopes that he should be found righteous and served with all the justice denied him during his life.

I wonder what judgment is passed to him concerning his lifetime and all the good that everyone has to say about him, even after he is gone; I hope he finds mercy before the seat of judgment, but above all, eternal rest, for he laboured his entire life!

Suffering described his life, the very sure route to eternal rest that holy scriptures confirm to us; and we are therefore convinced that anyone who suffers for their neighbor is bountifully rewarded after this life.

This is why we hope and believe that Baba should be in heaven, resting in his rewards and glory, for his life is not much different from that of the Messiah Jesus Christ and all His disciples—a life of sacrifice and love for the neighbor.

A Prayerful Hope for Divine ,Mercy and Eternal Peace

I write this as a solemn prayer and petition for his soul, as a humble intercession and witness to the attributes that even little children can attest to; so that since we exalt him, let us remember that it is not in our power to have the final say concerning his destiny.

Indeed, may his soul rest in eternal peace where all the righteous are rewarded and glorified!

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An image captured of people attending Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s Burial
PHOTO/File/X