Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s demise sets in political uncertainty Kenyans must confront

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s demise sets in political uncertainty Kenyans must confront

Raila Odinga, 80, died in India on Wednesday, and his body was received by thousands of mourners in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, on Thursday. Four public viewing events have been held in the past three days, attracting thousands of mourners and leaving five people dead and hundreds injured during stampedes.

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Judas kiss: Like Jesus Christ and Mandela, Raila Odinga was buried by enemies who gave his allies cold a shoulder  

Judas kiss: Like Jesus Christ and Mandela, Raila Odinga was buried by enemies who gave his allies cold a shoulder  

When Raila’s father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga died, I wrestled my way to his coffin and viewed his remains. Raila being more powerful and fully embraced by the bourgeoisie locks us out more firmly because in a class society, “successful” progressives are buried by their enemies. Indeed, success in class society is joining the class and being owned by them.

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How Raila Odinga’s funeral resuscitated fading Luo cultural rites when a totemic figure dies

How Raila Odinga’s funeral resuscitated fading Luo cultural rites when a totemic figure dies

Among the Luo, the funeral or liel is a sacred ceremony that affirms death not as an end but as a transition. Every stage in the process, holds profound spiritual meaning, ensuring that the departed is properly ushered into the afterlife and the living remain in harmony with ancestral spirits.

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Tribute: Raila Odinga was a colossus that straddled Kenyan presidencies for five decades

Tribute: Raila Odinga was a colossus that straddled Kenyan presidencies for five decades

Despite their alliance, Raila’s bid for the presidency was unsuccessful, and the coalition eventually dissolved. Nonetheless, Raila’s influence remained significant in shaping Kenya’s political discourse.

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Home ownership: Mushroom farm in Kenya grows fungi on industrial scale to make affordable building materials

Home ownership: Mushroom farm in Kenya grows fungi on industrial scale to make affordable building materials

Building a one-bedroom unit in Nairobi using materials such as brick, timber and tin sheets typically costs up to 150,000 Kenyan shillings (about $1,000), for a simple structure, and the figure can double depending on the quality of finishes, according to estimates from builders.

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Blast from strained past: The king is dead, long live the king, Bukusu elders remember rivalry between Muliro and Mboya   

Blast from strained past: The king is dead, long live the king, Bukusu elders remember rivalry between Muliro and Mboya   

Our Bukusu leaders were backward. They were hostile to Raila, even denying him a chance to speak at Wamalwa’s funeral. Carrying grudges that far was primitive. I criticised them in a press release published in the Standard newspaper.

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‘Bullish’ political leaders in western Kenya donate dozens of livestock to be slaughtered in honour of Raila Odinga

‘Bullish’ political leaders in western Kenya donate dozens of livestock to be slaughtered in honour of Raila Odinga

Speaking to the press after delivering 15 bulls and 15 bags of maize to the family of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Governor Natembeya said the gesture is a “humble token” of deep appreciation for Raila’s “monumental contribution” to the nation, especially his lifelong pursuit of justice, democracy and unity among all communities.

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Findings of hand and foot fossils in Turkana reinforce past discoveries that make Kenya cradle of mankind

Findings of hand and foot fossils in Turkana reinforce past discoveries that make Kenya cradle of mankind

Some of these species crossed paths, literally. A study published last year showed that Paranthropus boisei and Homo erectus left intersecting trackways of footprints in what had been a muddy lakeshore at Koobi Fora. The discovery raised intriguing questions about the relationship between the two species and any competition for resources.

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‘Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals’: Gen Z protests against corruption and inequality rock Morocco

‘Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals’: Gen Z protests against corruption and inequality rock Morocco

A leaderless collective called Gen Z 212 – named after Morocco’s dialling code – is the engine behind the protests. Members debate strategy on Discord, a chat app popular with gamers and teens. The core group has about 180,000 members but spinoffs have also sprouted, organising demonstrations in towns independently.

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Raila funeral: Transport, hotel industries dealing with surge in demand as Kenya Airways and PSVs report full booking

Raila funeral: Transport, hotel industries dealing with surge in demand as Kenya Airways and PSVs report full booking

National carrier Kenya Airways has announced additional flights and aircraft upgrades on its Kisumu route to cope with an unprecedented surge in passengers travelling to the lakeside city for the final farewell for former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga. Road transport has equally witnessed a similar surge in demand with...

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