Raila Odinga, who passed away on October 15, 2025, leaves behind a family woven into the fabric of Kenyan history. Married to Ida Odinga since 1973, the couple raised four children who embodied a mix of privacy, public service, and personal tragedy. Their firstborn, Fidel Castro Odhiambo Odinga, born in 1973 and named after the Cuban revolutionary, was a promising engineer whose untimely death in 2015 from a brain aneurysm devastated the family. Fidel’s loss underscored the vulnerabilities even political dynasties face.
Rosemary Achieng Odinga, born August 13, 1977, is the eldest daughter and second child. A businesswoman with interests in hospitality and real estate, Rosemary has largely stayed out of the political fray, focusing on family ventures that support the Odinga legacy. Raila Odinga Jr., the third child, carries his father’s name into activism and business, often engaging in youth empowerment and economic initiatives aligned with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). The youngest, Winnie Odinga, has emerged as a vocal advocate for social justice, entering politics with a 2022 parliamentary bid and championing women’s rights—much like her mother.
Raila’s family extended beyond his immediate children to siblings like Oburu Odinga and Ruth Odinga, who were with him during his final days in India. The Odingas’ story is one of resilience: from Raila’s father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first Vice President, to this generation navigating loss and leadership. As the nation grieves, Raila’s children stand as custodians of his ideals—unity, equity, and unyielding pursuit of justice—ensuring the family’s influence persists.
