President William Ruto has presided over the official dedication and handover of the mausoleum of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County. The ceremony on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, brought together members of the Odinga family, government officials and other invited guests as the country marked a year since the death of the former Prime Minister. President Ruto formally handed over the completed mausoleum to Raila’s widow, Mama Ida Odinga, during the ceremony. The event marked the official completion and dedication of the memorial site.
Mausoleum Marks Raila’s Legacy
The mausoleum stands at the Odinga family home at Kang’o ka Jaramogi and serves as the final resting place of Raila Odinga and his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first Vice President. The site has been recognised as an important part of Kenya’s national heritage, with the National Museums of Kenya listing the mausoleum for protection.
The facility is expected to serve as a place where Kenyans and future generations can learn about and reflect on Raila’s political journey and contribution to the country. Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Hannah Cheptumo has described the mausoleum as more than a physical structure, saying it represents memory, history and identity.
Restricted State Ceremony
The October 7 handover and dedication ceremony was restricted to invited guests because of limited space and security arrangements. The ceremony was expected to feature full military honours, while members of the public were advised not to travel to the mausoleum to attend the event physically. Instead, public viewing arrangements were put in place at selected locations, including Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology and Bondo town. Public access to the mausoleum is scheduled to begin on Thursday, October 8.
Memorial Activities Continue
The handover forms part of a wider programme of activities marking the first anniversary of Raila Odinga’s death. A family-led candlelight vigil is scheduled for October 14 at Kang’o ka Jaramogi, while the main public memorial service is expected to take place on October 15 at Migwena Cultural and Sports Ground in Bondo.
The government and the Odinga family have also announced other initiatives aimed at preserving Raila’s legacy, including plans for a Democracy Institute named after him at the University of Nairobi and additional projects at the Kenya School of Government.
A New Heritage Site
The official dedication places the mausoleum at the centre of efforts to preserve the history of the Odinga family and Raila’s decades-long public career. The facility is expected to become a significant destination for visitors seeking to pay tribute to the former Prime Minister and learn about his contribution to Kenya’s political history.
The handover also marks the conclusion of construction works that were undertaken over several months, with the Ministry of Defence taking charge of the project in July and military engineers working alongside museum technical teams.
