"We miss him": Winnie comforts mum Ida on first birthday without Raila
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- Ida Odinga marked her 76th birthday surrounded by family in what was a deeply emotional occasion for the Odinga household
- EALA MP Winnie Odinga took to the mic to address the gathering, speaking openly about how the family was feeling on the day
- Winnie paid tribute to her mother for the strength she has shown in holding the family together since Raila's passing
The Odinga family gathered over the weekend to celebrate matriarch Ida Odinga's 76th birthday, but the joyous occasion carried an unmistakable undercurrent of grief.
It was the first time Ida was marking her birthday since the death of her husband, former prime minister Raila Odinga, who passed away in October last year.
Raila had always been a central part of Ida's birthday celebrations, famously sharing a dance with her every year.
His absence left a visible void, though guests rallied around the widow with warmth and affection throughout the event.
What did Winnie Odinga say on Ida's birthday?
The most moving moment of the evening came when EALA MP Winnie Odinga, Ida's youngest daughter, stepped up to address the gathering.
Speaking candidly about the weight of the occasion, Winnie described her mother's birthday as nothing short of a family institution.
"On this day, this is the one day a year when the whole family stops, no matter where we are in the world. It is like a public holiday in this home because it is Mum's day. We celebrate her on this day because she gives us all the other 365 days; she is committed to taking care of us," she said.
Winnie did not shy away from naming the grief in the room, acknowledging what the milestone meant without the man who had always stood by Ida's side.
"It is a sad moment for all of us. Mum, it is particularly hard because in the first week of September it will be your wedding anniversary. There is somebody who should be here with us, and we miss him, but today we came to celebrate," she added.
Despite the sorrow woven through the celebration, Winnie made a point of honouring her mother's resilience.
She credited Ida with being the steady force that has kept the family grounded during one of its most difficult periods.
"I want to thank you for holding us up during this hard time that we have gone through. I want to wish you a happy birthday. We wish you more of God's blessings," Winnie said.
The tribute painted a portrait of a family still navigating its loss while choosing to show up for each other.
For Ida, surrounded by her children and loved ones, the occasion was bittersweet but clearly filled with genuine affection.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.