The late Raila Odinga’s elder brother, Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, has opened up about their last conversation and how they grew up.
While speaking in an exclusive interview with NTV on Sunday evening, November 2, the acting Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader revealed that he had spoken to Raila the night before his death. He added that Raila Odinga was very jovial and in high spirits during their last conversation. The former Prime Minister died on October 15, 2025.
Oburu went on to explain how he reacted to the passing of his younger brother. The Siaya Senator said he almost collapsed upon receiving the sad news of Raila’s death in India, having spoken to him the previous night.
“Raila Odinga was more than a brother to me; we grew up as twins. I spoke to him the night before he died; he was in very good spirits. We were to meet in Dubai. I almost collapsed when I heard about his death,” Oburu Odinga said.
On their close relationship, the acting ODM boss said he and the late Raila Odinga were more than brothers. He revealed that they were like twins to the point of sharing clothes.
“There was a lot of love between Raila Odinga and me; he used to share his clothes with me,” Oburu asserted.
The ODM leadership post Raila’s death
Following the death of Raila Odinga, Oburu Odinga has taken over as the ODM party leader. This comes as the country heads toward the 2027 General Election, where Oburu and other ODM leaders, including Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, are expected to work with President William Ruto’s government until 2027.
However, they have insisted that Raila Odinga had instructed them to work with the Head of State until 2027 and then field their own presidential candidate thereafter. Although Raila’s death left a huge vacuum in the ODM party, Oburu seeks to strengthen the party by prioritizing democracy and the inclusion of young leaders.
