Ruto Confers Raila With Kenya's Highest Award

Here's how it reads:

WHEREAS, On the Fifteenth Day of October in the year Two Thousand and Twenty-Five, Kenya, Africa and the World suffered immeasurable loss with the passing of the Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga, EG.H., the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, and one of the principal architects of Kenya’s modern. democratic order;

WHEREAS, the Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga dedicated the entirety of his adult life to the pursuit of justice, freedom and the equitable development of Kenya and advancement of her people;

WHEREAS, in service to the nation, the Late Premier served as a university lecturer, Member of Parliament for two decades, during which he served on both sides of the aisle of the National Assembly. Cabinet Minister, the de facto Leader of the Official Opposition and as the Second Prime Minister of the Republic:

WHEREAS, throughout his life, whether in Government or outside of it, Ri. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga exemplified. courage, endurance, dedication, an unwavering commitment to the ideals of democracy and good governance, sacrifice, Pan-Africanism and faithful service to all of humanity:

WHEREAS, the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga leaves behind a towering legacy that will forever endure in the hearts and minds of all, while serving as an inspiration to the present generations of Kenyans and Africans and those yet to be born;

WHEREAS, in the passing of the Former Prime Minister, Kenya. Africa, and the World have lost a Statesman of rare moral courage, a visionary patriot, a unifier of the people and a champion of justice whose name will forever be etched in the annals of our Republic; and

WHEREAS, the unprecedented outpouring of grief across the nation and beyond our borders stands testament to his enduring influence, his extraordinary service, and the profound affection in which he is held by a grateful municipal, regional, continental and global community.

NOW THEREFORE, on this Mashujaa Day, the Twentieth Day of October in the year Two Thousand and Twenty-Five, and in reverent recognition of the Late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga’s extraordinary contribution, shining legacy, and the bottomless debt of gratitude owed to him, on behalf of the Government and People of Kenya, it is my profound honour to act under the authority of the Public Seal of the Republic so as to inscribe his name among the foremost of our national heroes.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, and on behalf of an eternally grateful nation, 1, William Samoei Ruto, PhD., C.G.H., President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 132 (4) (r) of the Constitution, do posthumously confer the following title of honour RT. HON. RAILA AMOLO ODINGA Order of the Golden Heart of Kenуа

The Order of the Golden Heart is the country’s top national honour, presented by the President to individuals who have made remarkable contributions in areas such as public service, leadership, and national development. Its highest category, the Chief of the Order (C.G.H.), is reserved for heads of state, distinguished public figures, and those whose service to the nation stands out as truly exceptional.

Raila Odinga’s conferment of the award had long been anticipated, given his status as one of Kenya’s most influential political figures. Serving as Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013, he played a defining role in the nation’s politics over several decades.

He also made five presidential bids and was instrumental in brokering the 2008 power-sharing agreement that ended the post-election violence, which erupted after the disputed 2007 polls.

During his Mashujaa Day speech, President William Ruto lauded Raila’s lifelong dedication to Kenya, acknowledging that despite their political differences, his leadership helped steer the country toward unity and progress.

Raila was laid to rest on Sunday in a deeply emotional ceremony at his ancestral home in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Bondo, Siaya County, beside his father, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. Following Raila’s passing, President Ruto has continued to honour his legacy with utmost respect, culminating in the decision to grant him a full state funeral.

With this, Raila joins an elite group of Kenyans who have received state funerals — including Jomo Kenyatta (1978), Michael Kijana Wamalwa (2003), Wangari Maathai (2011), Lucy Kibaki (2016), Daniel arap Moi (2020), and Mwai Kibaki (2022).

A graphic paying tribute to the late Raila Amolo Odinga. /VIRAL TEA KE