Indian community proposes to build landmark Nairobi statue to honour late Raila Odinga’s legacy of unity and democracy

The Indian community in Nairobi has unveiled plans to honour the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga with a grand statue in the city’s central business district (CBD), describing him as a national icon who championed unity, freedom, and democracy.

The proposal, which will soon be formally presented to President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, seeks approval to erect the monument as a lasting symbol of Odinga’s contribution to Kenya’s political and social transformation.

Former Parklands Highridge MCA Jayendra Malde, who is leading the initiative, said the Indian community is ready to fully fund the project in honour of Raila’s enduring impact on Kenya’s democratic journey.

“We as the Indian community are ready to build Baba a big statue in the CBD in his memory, provided the governor approves,” said Malde in a statement.

He revealed that a formal request would be delivered to both President Ruto and Governor Sakaja for allocation of a suitable site in the city centre.

“Tomorrow, we will send a formal letter to H.E. William Ruto and H.E. Sakaja to give us a site in the CBD for Baba’s statue,” he said.

Malde described Odinga as a unifying figure whose leadership and resilience resonated across all communities, including the Indian diaspora, many of whom admired his lifelong dedication to democracy and social justice.

He added that the statue would not only commemorate Raila’s political legacy but also symbolise Kenya’s unity in diversity and the shared history of communities that have lived together peacefully for generations.

The proposal has stirred interest and emotional reactions among Nairobi residents, with many lauding the gesture as a fitting tribute to a man whose influence transcended ethnic and political boundaries.

If approved, the monument would become one of the most prominent statues in the capital’s CBD, joining others such as that of the late Tom Mboya both figures remembered for their immense contributions to Kenya’s freedom and progress.

Raila Odinga passed away on October 15, 2025, while undergoing specialised treatment at Devamatha Hospital in Kerala, southern India. He was later laid to rest at his ancestral home in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, Bondo, Siaya County.

The initiative by the Indian community comes amid a wave of international tributes honouring the late statesman. Germany’s Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, where Raila studied mechanical engineering between 1965 and 1970, has also announced plans to establish an academic exchange program in his memory.

During a recent visit to Kenya’s Embassy in Berlin, the university’s president, Professor Dr.-Ing. Jens Strackeljan, conveyed condolences to the Kenyan people and presented a commemorative plate to Ambassador Stella Mokaya for the Odinga family.

The planned Nairobi monument, if approved, would stand as a timeless reminder of Raila Odinga’s enduring legacy — a leader who, in life and death, continues to unite Kenyans across generations and communities.