Indian Community Plans Grand Statue to Honor Raila Odinga’s Heroic Legacy
The Indian community in Nairobi has unveiled plans to build a grand statue in memory of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga, celebrating his lifelong fight for democracy, justice, and national unity. The proposed monument, to be erected in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), aims to immortalize Odinga as a hero of Kenya’s political transformation and a symbol of multicultural solidarity.
Former Parklands–Highridge MCA Jayendra Malde announced the initiative on Sunday, revealing that the community will fully fund the project as a gesture of gratitude to Odinga’s enduring legacy. “We as the Indian community are ready to build Baba a big statue in CBD in his memory, provided the governor approves,” said Malde, confirming that formal requests will be sent to President William Ruto and Governor Johnson Sakaja for official approval.
Malde emphasized that Odinga’s courage, resilience, and commitment to justice left a deep imprint on every Kenyan, transcending ethnic and social divides. “Raila Odinga was not just a politician; he was a national conscience — a unifier who inspired generations to believe in a better Kenya,” he said.
If approved, the statue will stand alongside those of national heroes like Tom Mboya, serving as a timeless reminder of Odinga’s role in shaping Kenya’s democratic journey.
The tribute follows another international recognition — Germany’s Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Odinga’s alma mater, announced an academic exchange program in his honor. Odinga studied mechanical engineering at the institution between 1965 and 1970, earning a master’s degree.
From Bondo to Berlin, and now Nairobi’s CBD, the calls to immortalize Raila Odinga reflect the enduring respect for a man many call “the father of Kenya’s second liberation.”
