Tears in Parliament as Mboko, Omanyo wail over Raila’s death

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Tears in Parliament as Mboko, Omanyo wail over Raila’s death
Tears in Parliament as Mboko, Omanyo wail over Raila’s death

Africa-Press – Kenya. Grief swept through the National Assembly on Wednesday morning following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga.

Two lawmakers were overcome by emotion as the devastating news reached the floor of the House.

Likoni MP Mishi Mboko and Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo, both members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), broke down in tears and wept uncontrollably, visibly shaken by the passing of the veteran opposition leader.

A video from the morning sitting showed the Sergeant-at-Arms stepping in to comfort the two as other MPs watched in stunned silence.

Though Speaker Moses Wetang’ula did not immediately disclose the reason for the sudden adjournment, the mood in the House reflected a growing sense of sorrow and disbelief.

“I will invoke my authority under Standing Order Number One,” Wetang’ula said.

“The sitting of the House this morning is adjourned. We will have a sitting at 2.30 this afternoon where the speaker will give you some important communication.”

He added that he had just returned from State House, where eight bills had been assented to—marking a milestone in legislative achievement—but offered no further explanation on the decision to adjourn the sitting. The somber tone, however, spoke volumes.

Raila, who died at the age of 80 after suffering a heart attack in India, leaves behind a legacy few in Kenyan politics can match.

A seasoned opposition leader, freedom fighter, and statesman, Raila’s political career spanned more than four decades.

Though he never became president, his influence shaped Kenya’s modern democratic landscape.

Both Mboko and Omanyo were closely aligned with Raila, politically and personally.

Mboko, a long-serving ODM member, first entered national politics as Mombasa County Woman Representative in 2013 before being elected as Likoni MP in 2017.

A staunch supporter of Raila and his Azimio la Umoja coalition, she often referred to him as a “father figure” in her political journey.

Omanyo, too, was an outspoken ally and ODM loyalist who frequently echoed Raila’s reformist ideals in her legislative work.

Raila’s commitment to constitutional reform, multiparty democracy, and social justice earned him both reverence and criticism, but his place in Kenya’s history remains unquestioned.

From years in detention to standing at the heart of pro-democracy movements, Raila paid the price for his convictions—and inspired millions along the way.

As Parliament prepares to resume at 2:30 p.m., the Speaker is expected to deliver an official statement on the passing of one of Kenya’s most iconic political figures.

Meanwhile, across the country and beyond, tributes continue to pour in for the man many called “Baba.”

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