Indian Community to Erect Grand Statue of Raila Odinga in Nairobi CBD

Nairobi — The Indian community in Kenya is planning to immortalize the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga with a grand statue in the heart of Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), in what is being hailed as one of the most profound tributes yet to the country’s iconic opposition leader.

The proposal, fronted by Parklands Highridge Member of County Assembly (MCA) Jayendra Malde, has stirred admiration and curiosity across the nation, underscoring the deep respect Odinga commanded beyond ethnic and racial lines.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, October 26, 2025, Malde announced that the Indian community was prepared to fully fund and construct the monument, describing Odinga as a visionary who fought for justice, unity, and democracy.

“We as the Indian community are ready to build Baba a big statue in the CBD in his memory, provided the governor approves,” Malde wrote. “Tomorrow we will send a formal letter to H.E. President William Ruto and H.E. Governor Sakaja to allocate us a site in Nairobi.”

The MCA, who represented the Parklands Highridge ward between 2017 and 2022, said the community viewed Raila not only as a political figure but also as a statesman who embodied courage, inclusivity, and the relentless pursuit of fairness.

“The Indian community in Kenya has benefited immensely from the peaceful and democratic environment that Baba helped shape,” Malde said in a follow-up post. “A statue in the heart of Nairobi will remind future generations of the importance of selflessness, courage, and patriotism.”

If approved, the monument will be one of the most significant additions to Nairobi’s growing list of statues honoring Kenya’s national heroes, including the towering figures of Tom Mboya and Dedan Kimathi along Moi Avenue.

The proposed Raila Odinga statue is expected to capture his likeness in a powerful pose — possibly mid-speech or holding a national flag — symbolizing the indomitable spirit that defined his decades-long struggle for democracy.

The announcement has since sparked a wave of emotional reactions online. Supporters of Odinga have praised the move as a “beautiful gesture of solidarity,” noting that the Indian community’s involvement mirrors the inclusive politics Raila often championed.

Others see it as a symbolic bridge between Kenya’s diverse communities — one that speaks to the deep historical and economic ties between the Indian diaspora and Kenya’s independence journey.

Political analysts have described the planned monument as a “rare act of civic diplomacy,” noting that the Indian community has long maintained strong relations with Odinga’s family and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Raila was a frequent guest at Indian cultural events in Nairobi and had long been admired for his efforts to promote tolerance and multicultural coexistence.

The late Raila Odinga speaks to the media during a past event.

Raila Odinga, who died on October 15, 2025, while receiving specialized treatment in India, was laid to rest in his ancestral home in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Bondo, Siaya County.

His passing triggered an outpouring of grief both locally and abroad, with tributes pouring in from world leaders, business magnates, and citizens alike.

Should the statue project receive government approval, it would stand not only as a memorial to Raila’s legacy but also as a powerful emblem of Kenya’s multicultural identity — a reminder that unity, as he often said, “is the only foundation on which a just nation can stand.”

As one social media user commented under Malde’s post, “Even in death, Baba continues to unite us.”