Wamuzi News Ke
In an unexpected revelation during the farewell ceremony for Raila Odinga, the veteran Kenyan political leader and long-time opposition heavyweight, it emerged that he was working on a major unpublished manuscript just days before his death. His sister, Emily Oginga, disclosed this on Sunday, sending shock-waves through Kenya’s political and literary worlds.
A Hidden Work Uncovered
At the solemn eulogy reading held at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) in Bondo, Siaya County, Emily revealed that Odinga had begun authoring his “third biography” — one that diverged from his earlier life narrative and instead focused fully on the idea of Pan-Africanism and Africa’s future.
She stated that the book:
“was meant to document his experiences, lessons and vision for Africa’s political and economic liberation, especially from Western dependence.”
According to her, Odinga worked on this project quietly in the days leading up to his death, keeping it out of the public eye until now. His intention, she indicated, was to dedicate this final work entirely to the continent’s unity and transformation.
Why This Matters Now
The disclosure reframes how we view Odinga’s final days and legacy. Known primarily for his role in Kenya’s multiparty democracy, multiple presidential bids and long opposition leadership, this new work suggests his focus extended far beyond domestic politics to a continental vision.
By anchoring his final project in Pan-Africanism, Odinga reframed his own narrative: no more just “Baba” of Kenyan politics, but a statesman with Africa-wide ambitions. For supporters and scholars alike, the revelation raises urgent questions:
- How far did Odinga progress with the manuscript — was it near completion or merely conceptual?
- Who now holds the drafts, and will they be published?
- What fresh insight might the book reveal about Odinga’s thinking on Africa’s economic, political and social future?
The Shadow of Unfinished Work
Emily’s disclosure also carries the poignancy of a project cut short. Odinga died at age 80 in India while undergoing treatment, leaving behind a legacy that many felt was incomplete.
In his final days, to pivot to a Pan-Africanist manuscript suggests a man still thinking, still striving, still planning. The fact that this work only now comes to light adds urgency: his thoughts and frameworks — which might have informed future African discourse — were never public, never fully realised.
Implications for Africa and Kenya
This reveal presents multiple layers of significance:
- For Kenya: Odinga’s unfinished book signals a shift in the narrative of his life. Rather than merely a national politician, it casts him as an African visionary. Kenyan political debates and history will need to absorb this dimension.
- For Africa: The book’s theme suggests a line of inquiry into Africa’s liberation, economic emancipation and unity — areas that remain deeply contested across the continent. That Odinga was exploring them in his final days could catalyse new interest or scholarship in Pan-African frameworks.
- For Publishing and Legacy: There is now a race against time. The fate of the manuscript and any accompanying notes or research stands to affect how Odinga’s legacy is codified. Will the work see the light of day? Will it align with his previous writings or diverge sharply?
