Mama Ida Odinga, widow of the late opposition leader Raila Odinga, moved mourners at Nyayo Stadium with heartfelt reflections about her family, revealing the stories and symbolism behind the names of their four children.
Speaking with warmth and emotion, she painted an intimate picture of the Odinga household one shaped by love, history, and a deep sense of purpose. Ida, who shared 52 years of marriage with Raila, explained that every name chosen for their children carried not only personal meaning but also echoes of the struggles, friendships, and global inspirations that marked their journey together.
Their firstborn son, she recalled, was named Fidel Castro Odhiambo Odinga, a decision that initially surprised her.
“When he was born, I was a bit unsure about the way Raila wanted to name him. I asked, why Fidel?” she recounted with a smile.
Raila, she said, admired the Cuban revolutionary leader for his courage and defiance in the face of oppression traits that resonated with his own political convictions. Thus, the name Fidel became a lasting reflection of those shared ideals.
Their daughter, Rosemary Odinga, was named in honour of both family lineages. “Rose is the name of my father, and Mary is the name of his mother,” Ida said, explaining that the combination symbolized unity a blend of love and legacy connecting the two families.
When their third child arrived, Raila chose to name him Raila Odinga Jr, after his cousin and close friend, Raila Kembo. The name, Ida said, embodied kinship and continuity, tying their son’s identity to the family’s generational story and the enduring influence of their father and grandfather, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Ida’s recollection of their youngest child’s birth Winnie Odinga stirred the crowd with its powerful sense of timing and symbolism. She described being in labour on the day Nelson Mandela walked free from prison in February 1990, watching the historic moment unfold live on television.
“As I was watching the TV, I could see Nelson and Winnie Mandela holding hands as Mandela walked out of prison,” she said. “We didn’t know what kind of child I would get, but I said, if it’s a boy, we would name him Nelson, and if it’s a girl, Winnie.”
That moment of triumph and liberation became part of their family story, forever linking their daughter’s name to a symbol of courage and freedom.
In closing, Mama Ida urged young parents to be intentional when naming their children to choose names that tell stories, preserve history, and inspire purpose.
