KDF Tasked With Construction of Raila Odinga Mausoleum

The Government through the Ministry of Defence, has officially commenced construction on the Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga Mausoleum. The official groundbreaking ceremony was held at Kang’o ka Jaramogi, the Odinga family’s ancestral home in Bondo, Siaya County.

Presiding over the event, Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya confirmed that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have been tasked with project management to ensure the project is completed to the highest standards. The first phase of the national monument is scheduled for completion within the next two months, ahead of the first anniversary of the late statesman’s passing.

“This mausoleum reflects the Government’s commitment to safeguarding our nation’s historical memory by honouring a leader whose lifelong contribution to national unity, constitutional reforms, democratic governance, and public service has left an enduring imprint on Kenya’s political journey,” said CS Tuya. 

“The Ministry of Defence is undertaking project management for this mausoleum, leveraging the proven capacity, discipline, and meticulous infrastructure delivery of our Kenya Defence Forces.”

CS Tuya was joined by her colleague, Co-operatives and MSMEs Development Cabinet Secretary Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya, for the groundbreaking ceremony. The event was also attended by Principal Secretaries Dr. Patrick Mariru (Defence) and Ms. Ummi Bashir (Culture, the Arts and Heritage), Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Matthew Owili, officials from the National Museums of Kenya, and other distinguished leaders.

The Jaramogi family, led by Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Odinga, officially handed over the site to the government for the project’s implementation. Senator Odinga expressed the family’s gratitude for the state-backed project, while also calling for a modern design that reflects his brother’s stature and meets the expectations of younger generations. 

He said that the mausoleum should serve as a permanent reminder of Raila Odinga’s contribution to Kenya’s political development and democracy. Speaking on behalf of the family, Raila Odinga Junior described the upcoming memorial as more than just a building, but a place where his father’s story of respect, humility and service will be told for generations to come.