Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's spouse, Ida Odinga, has opened up about the pain of losing her husband, saying his death still feels like yesterday despite a year having passed.

Speaking during Raila’s first death anniversary at Migwena grounds in Bondo on Thursday, October 15, 2026, Ida said she had trusted Kenyans with her husband and released him to the public to pursue politics and defend their interests, only for him to be returned to her in a coffin.

"Those who were there, or those who heard me, will remember that I told you I was releasing him to you to go and do his politics and protect the people of Kenya. But I also told the crowd, “Please take care of him,” she said.

"Today, I am sorry to report that I gave him to you alive, but you gave him back to me in a coffin."

She recalled the challenges of living without Raila, urging Kenyans to honour his memory through peace, tolerance and love. Raila died on October 15, 2025, while receiving medical treatment in India.

Despite a year having passed, Ida said she still finds herself leaving the door open in the evening, hoping that her husband will return home. She described the experience as one of the hardest parts of adjusting to life without him.

“I once knew, and I thought, and I know that a year takes 12 months. But it is very difficult for me to think that it is a year since he left, because to me and to some of us, it is just like it was yesterday that he left,” she said.

“In the evening, sometimes Baba used to come late. I leave the door open, hoping that he's going to come in, and the door remains open for a very long time. Much later, I realise he's not coming back, and I go and close the door."

She added that members of the family also find themselves expecting to hear him arrive home or see him the following morning, only to remember that he is gone.

"When we are quietly in the house, we still hope that we will hear him coming in. When morning comes, the first thing we think is that we are going to see him, but he is not there," she said.

Ida said she often tells people that she is doing well, but admitted that her strength comes partly from the support she receives from Kenyans who continue to pray for her.

"I always knew that a year has 12 months, but it is very difficult for me to believe that a year has passed since he left. To me and some of us, it feels as though he left only yesterday," she said.

“People do ask me, ‘How am I?’ I tell them I'm fine, I'm strong. I'm strong because you people are strong for me."

She added, "But in the end, I also remember the words of Shakespeare. I know some of you may not have read Shakespeare's Macbeth. Shakespeare said, “No life lives forever, and the dead man rises never.”

The former Prime Minister's widow also recalled the pain of losing Beryl Achieng Odinga, within 40 days of Raila's death. Achieng was the youngest sister of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Ida said the two losses within such a short period placed a heavy burden on the family and affected how they dealt with grief and public expectations.

“These two losses, within a period of 40 days, were too much for the family, and that is why you see the family is not excited the way some of you are excited. You should know it has been very heavy in our hearts,” she said.

She added that the anniversary was also an opportunity to remember Achieng, saying the family continued to miss her.

Ida, who also serves as Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), warned those seeking to use Raila’s name in the coming months to respect his legacy and preserve the ideals he stood for.

She emphasised that some people might invoke his name out of convenience rather than a genuine desire to advance his vision.

She also thanked those working to preserve Raila’s ideals through institutions established in his name, including the Raila Odinga Centre for Democracy, the Raila Leadership Academy, schools and foundations, saying such initiatives would help keep his dreams alive.

Ida further asked Kenyans to honour her husband's memory through peace, tolerance and love, urging them to respect political differences and avoid violence.

“Peace is not the absence of noise; it is the presence of respect. No victory is worth a mother's tears. Please, let's try to hold peace in our nation,” she said.

She urged young people not to turn their passion or love for Raila into a weapon, calling on leaders and elders to give them room to express themselves and guide them with love.

Ida also reminded Kenyans that political rivals should not be treated as enemies, urging candidates and their supporters to unite after the 2027 General Election.

“When the election is over, let's get together,” she said.