Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has announced a candle-lighting ceremony at Uhuru Park in Nairobi to commemorate the life and legacy of the late former Prime Minister and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

The event is scheduled for Friday, October 2, and will form part of a wider programme of activities planned to remember Raila as the country approaches the first anniversary of his death.

According to Jalang’o, the candle-lighting ceremony will begin at 3pm and continue until midnight, bringing together Kenyans who wish to honour the former opposition leader and reflect on his contribution to the country.

The event has been presented as an opportunity for members of the public to come together in remembrance, with Jalang’o describing October as a significant month for remembering Raila.

The announcement comes as various groups, political leaders and the Odinga family prepare different activities to mark one year since Raila’s death.

A MONTH OF REMEMBRANCE

The candle-lighting ceremony is part of a broader programme that has been dubbed “Mwezi wa Baba”, a Swahili phrase meaning “Baba’s Month.”

The Orange Democratic Movement has dedicated the month of October to remembering Raila, who led the party for many years and remained one of Kenya’s most prominent political figures.

ODM announced that the month-long programme would include a series of activities across different parts of the country, beginning with the candle-lighting ceremony on October 2.

The party has also called on Kenyans to participate in the remembrance activities and reflect on Raila’s contribution to Kenya’s political and democratic history.

The wider programme includes activities in different regions before the main anniversary commemorations in Siaya County.

The events are expected to bring together people from different political, social and regional backgrounds who interacted with Raila during his long public career.

WHY THE CANDLE-LIGHTING MATTERS

Candle-lighting ceremonies are commonly used as moments of remembrance, reflection and solidarity.

The Uhuru Park event is therefore expected to provide an opportunity for those attending to remember Raila away from the usual political rallies and public meetings.

Participants will have an opportunity to light candles in his memory while reflecting on the different stages of his public life.

For many Kenyans, Raila was not only a political leader but also a central figure in the country's political transformation over several decades.

His supporters associated him with the struggle for political reform, constitutional change, multiparty democracy and greater political participation.

The commemorative activities are expected to provide space for these aspects of his public life to be discussed and remembered.

RAILA'S POLITICAL JOURNEY

Raila Odinga's political career spanned several decades.

He served as a Member of Parliament, Minister, opposition leader and Prime Minister of Kenya.

He also played a major role in the country's opposition politics and was involved in several major political movements and coalitions.

His political journey included the formation and leadership of political parties and alliances that became influential in Kenya's political landscape.

Raila also contested the presidency several times, becoming one of the country's most recognisable presidential candidates.

His political campaigns attracted large numbers of supporters across different parts of Kenya.

Even after losing presidential contests, he remained active in national politics and continued to influence political debates.

His death therefore marked the end of a long political era and triggered widespread mourning across Kenya.

UHURU PARK AS THE VENUE

The choice of Uhuru Park as the venue for the candle-lighting ceremony is significant because the Nairobi landmark has historically hosted major public gatherings, political meetings, cultural events and national celebrations.

Jalang’o's announcement invites members of the public to gather at the park and participate in the remembrance ceremony.

The event is expected to attract Raila supporters, friends, political associates and members of the public who wish to pay tribute to the former Prime Minister.

The ceremony is also expected to form part of the public activities marking the first anniversary of his death.

Jalang’o announced the event on September 29, encouraging Kenyans to begin October by remembering Raila and celebrating his legacy.

THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY

Raila died in October 2025 while receiving medical treatment in India.

His death was followed by national mourning and a series of funeral activities that brought together political leaders, ordinary citizens and international dignitaries.

He was later buried at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County, next to his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

As the first anniversary approaches, preparations have intensified for activities aimed at commemorating his life.

The Odinga family has also established a national steering committee to coordinate anniversary activities.

The committee is chaired by Professor Adams Oloo and includes representatives from government, political institutions, civil society, academia, the private sector and the Odinga family.

The committee has said the commemorations should bring together people from different backgrounds and reflect the diverse aspects of Raila's public life.

FAMILY-LED COMMEMORATIONS

The national steering committee has emphasised that the broader anniversary commemorations should remain guided by the Odinga family.

Committee chairman Professor Adams Oloo said different activities and partnerships connected to the anniversary should be coordinated through the committee and approved by the family.

The aim is to ensure that the commemorations are not limited to one political group or region but reflect Raila's national presence.

According to the committee, people from different political, religious and regional backgrounds are welcome to participate.

The organisers have also indicated that the commemorations should include different groups in society, including young people, women, older citizens, persons living with disabilities and marginalised communities.

This approach is intended to present the anniversary as a national commemoration rather than simply a political event.

JALANG'O'S CONNECTION TO RAILA

Jalang’o has had a long association with Raila and the ODM political movement.

Before entering Parliament, he was widely known as a media personality, radio presenter, comedian and entertainer.

He later ventured into politics and successfully contested the Lang’ata parliamentary seat on an ODM ticket in the 2022 General Election.

His political relationship with Raila has remained part of his public political journey.

In recent years, Jalang’o has also spoken about the former Prime Minister's influence on his political career and the development of Lang’ata.

In a recent interview, he said he believed Raila would have been proud of the progress made in Lang’ata during his tenure as MP.

The upcoming candle-lighting event therefore adds another dimension to Jalang’o's continued public references to Raila's contribution to his political journey and to Lang’ata.

REMEMBERING RAILA BEYOND POLITICS

Although Raila was one of Kenya's most influential political figures, the commemorations are also expected to focus on aspects of his life beyond electoral politics.

His supporters and associates have frequently highlighted his advocacy for constitutional reforms, democracy, human rights and political freedoms.

He was also involved in regional and continental issues and frequently spoke about African unity and development.

His public career included periods in government as well as long stretches in opposition.

These different chapters have contributed to the diverse ways in which Kenyans remember him.

For some, he is remembered primarily as a political leader and opposition figure.

For others, his legacy is connected to constitutional reform and the country's transition to multiparty politics.

The month-long commemorations provide an opportunity for these different perspectives to be expressed.

EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

The October programme will extend beyond Nairobi.

ODM has announced several activities in different parts of the country as part of “Mwezi wa Baba.”

A major memorial rally is planned for Kakamega on October 9, bringing together participants from several counties in Western Kenya.

Family-led activities are scheduled between October 10 and October 15, culminating in the main anniversary commemoration at Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Bondo.

Other activities are planned for Garissa, the Coast region, Kajiado, Turkana and Nairobi later in the month.

The programme demonstrates the intention to take the remembrance activities beyond Raila's traditional political strongholds.

It also reflects the organisers' emphasis on remembering his national political presence.

A MOMENT FOR REFLECTION

The candle-lighting ceremony at Uhuru Park is expected to provide a moment for reflection as Kenyans remember Raila one year after his death.

For those who worked with him, the event will offer an opportunity to recall their experiences with the former Prime Minister.

For his supporters, it will provide a platform to celebrate the political journey of a leader who remained at the centre of national politics for decades.

For younger Kenyans, the commemorations could also offer an opportunity to learn more about Raila's role in Kenya's political history.

The organisers are expected to use the different activities to bring together people who interacted with Raila at various stages of his life.

CONCLUSION

Jalang’o's announcement of the Uhuru Park candle-lighting ceremony adds to the growing list of activities planned to commemorate the first anniversary of Raila Odinga's death.

The ceremony, scheduled for October 2, is expected to bring Kenyans together for an evening of remembrance and reflection.

It will also officially kick off a month of activities dedicated to remembering Raila's life and public contribution.

The broader “Mwezi wa Baba” programme will feature events across several regions before culminating in the main anniversary commemorations in Bondo.

As the country approaches the first anniversary, Raila's political journey continues to generate discussion about his contribution to Kenya's history, democracy and public life.

The candle-lighting ceremony at Uhuru Park will offer members of the public an opportunity to remember him collectively, while the wider programme will provide different communities with opportunities to reflect on the aspects of his life that mattered most to them.

For Jalang’o, the event is also an opportunity to honour a political figure with whom he shared an important chapter of his own political journey.

As candles are lit at Uhuru Park on Friday, the ceremony is expected to serve as a symbolic moment of remembrance for Raila Odinga and the legacy he left behind.