“I Have Lost A Friend and A Brother,” Uhuru Kenyatta Mourns Raila, Hails The Handshake As Raila’s Ultimate Act of Patriotism

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has paid an emotional tribute to the late Raila Odinga, describing the former Prime Minister as a “friend, brother, and a true patriot” whose death has left him deeply shaken.

In a moving statement issued on Wednesday, hours after news broke that Raila had died in India, Uhuru said the loss had struck him with “a grief that is both profound and deeply personal,” recounting their shared political journey marked by rivalry, respect, and eventual reconciliation.

“To me, Raila was more than a political colleague; he was a defining part of my own journey, in public service and in life,” Uhuru said.

“We were navigators on opposing currents, charting different courses for the nation we both loved.”

Uhuru reminisced on their years as fierce political adversaries, saying that Raila’s intensity and conviction always pushed him to sharpen his own ideas and defend his beliefs. But it was the 2018 “Handshake” between the two leaders, he said, that revealed Raila’s “true measure as a man.”

“That journey from fierce political opponents to partners in the pursuit of unity taught me the true measure of the man,” Uhuru stated. “He was a formidable opponent, but he was an even more invaluable ally in the cause of reconciliation.”

The former Head of State hailed the Handshake as a moment that transcended politics and demonstrated Raila’s deep belief in peace, justice, and national cohesion. “He had the incredible capacity to think beyond personal ambition for the sake of national peace,” Uhuru said.

Uhuru, who maintained a warm relationship with Raila even after leaving office, said he would miss their long, passionate conversations, describing them as “sometimes challenging, always insightful.”

“To Mama Ida, the children, and the entire Odinga family, I extend my deepest, most heartfelt condolences,” he said. “We have lost a father to the nation, a steadfast champion for the people, and a true son of Kenya.”

Raila Odinga passed away on Wednesday morning in Kochi, India, where he had been receiving treatment. He reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest during a morning walk within an Ayurvedic wellness facility.

Uhuru’s statement concluded with a poignant farewell: “Rest in peace, my brother. Your work here is done, but your echo will never fade.”