REVEALED: Why Raila Odinga Wanted to Be Buried Within 72 Hours After His Death
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Dennis Onyango, the long-serving spokesperson and personal assistant to the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has revealed why the veteran opposition leader once expressed a wish to be buried within 72 hours of his death.
Speaking during an interview with JK LIVE, he recounted a conversation he had with Raila in the aftermath of the death of former Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla, who died in a military helicopter crash in April 2024.
According to Dennis Onyango, Raila shared his burial preference while they were preparing to travel to General Ogolla’s home to offer condolences to the bereaved family.
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He said Raila told him that he admired the way General Ogolla’s burial arrangements were being handled and noted that he would prefer a similar timeline for his own send-off.
“He told me he wanted to be buried within 72 hours. That was how he wanted it done,” Onyango said.
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However, Dennis Onyango said he immediately dismissed the idea, arguing that such an arrangement would be difficult to implement given Raila’s stature as one of Kenya’s most influential political figures.
“I told him nobody would accept that kind of thing and that he should forget about it,” he said.h
He further explained that the discussion occurred as they coordinated media coverage and travel plans to visit General Ogolla’s family home.
Onyango said Raila appeared convinced that a similar arrangement would be appropriate for him should he pass away.
Raila’s Former Aide Discusses His Relationship With Sifuna And Babu Owino
Dennis Onyango also offered insight into Raila’s relationship with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino.
He described Sifuna as one of Raila’s political protégés, and among the leaders the former Prime Minister greatly admired for his communication skills.
“Sifuna was Raila’s political son. Raila liked him and his ability to articulate issues,” Onyango said.
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However, he claimed the relationship suffered after an explosive interview that made Raila appear uncertain about his political decisions.
On Babu Owino, Onyango said Raila viewed the youthful legislator as ambitious but sometimes impatient.
“Raila thought Babu was going to be trouble to his base. He thought the guy was very impatient,” Onyango stated.
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A photo collage of Dennis Onyango and late Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Photo/ FILE.
