“I Almost Collapsed Twice”: Millie Odhiambo’s Heartfelt Recollection of Raila Odinga’s Death
The morning was bright — ordinary, almost peaceful — until the world changed.
For Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo, it was supposed to be just another day of political duty. Instead, it became a moment that will forever remain etched in her heart: the day she learned of Raila Amolo Odinga’s death.
She was at State House, among fellow leaders, when President William Ruto stood before them. His face was heavy, his tone unusually solemn.
“I have bad news,” he began.
In that instant, Millie’s knees went weak. A chill swept through her body as if her heart already knew what her mind refused to accept.
“When I heard those words, I froze,” she later recalled. “I almost collapsed — not once, but twice.”
🕊️ The Shock That Shattered Silence
The room fell still. Some gasped; others stared blankly, unable to speak. Millie said it felt as though time had stopped — her vision blurred, her chest heavy, her world collapsing in slow motion.
“I remember holding onto the chair beside me,” she said softly. “I felt my strength leave me. It was like losing a father.”
For years, Raila Odinga had been more than a political figure to her — he was a mentor, a friend, and a symbol of hope. To hear of his death, especially after hearing days earlier that he was recovering well in India, was unbearable.
💬 The Last Words That Now Echo
Just days before that dreadful morning, Millie had spoken to Raila by phone. She asked how he was doing, jokingly telling him to ignore the wild rumours circulating online.
“He laughed and said, ‘Imagine, there are people in Kenya who have already buried me!’” she remembered with a trembling smile.
Those lighthearted words now sting deeply. The laughter that once brought reassurance now echoes as a haunting memory of a goodbye she never knew was final.
🌧️ Tears, Tremors, and Silence
After the President’s announcement, Millie said she could barely hear anything else. Everything turned into noise — muffled voices, whispers, sobs.
She walked out of the room slowly, tears clouding her eyes, her mind spinning.
“The walk to my car felt like the longest walk of my life,” she said. “I was shaking. I couldn’t feel my legs. I wanted to scream but couldn’t.”
For the outspoken MP who had always stood strong in Parliament, that was the one moment she couldn’t hold it together. She cried — not as a politician, but as a daughter mourning a father.
🌍 The Pain of a Nation
Outside State House, word of Raila’s death had already spread. Across Kenya — from Bondo to Kisumu, Nairobi to Mombasa — people were wailing, singing “Jowi Baba!” and waving orange flags.
Millie said she saw those images later that evening and broke down again.
“It hit me that Kenya had lost not just a leader, but its moral compass,” she said.
🕯️ Finding Strength in His Words
In her tribute, Millie urged Kenyans to honour Raila’s legacy by embodying his values — resilience, unity, and forgiveness.
“Even in death, Baba teaches us to forgive,” she said. “He forgave those who wronged him. We must do the same.”
Though her voice cracked with emotion, her message was clear — the best way to keep Raila Odinga alive is to live by the ideals he stood for.
🌅 A Leader Remembered, A Daughter Grieving
Millie Odhiambo’s recollection isn’t just about political loss. It’s a glimpse into raw human emotion — the grief of someone who admired Raila not only as a leader, but as a guiding light.
“That day broke me,” she admitted quietly. “But Baba would have wanted me to be strong — so I stood, wiped my tears, and carried his dream forward.”
Her story mirrors the pain of millions across Kenya — those who wept, prayed, and remembered a man who defined their political lives and inspired their hope.
As she said it best:
“I almost collapsed twice… but his spirit lifted me up. Baba lives on.”
