KISUMU, Kenya, Jan 19 — The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga family will celebrate his 30th anniversary at the Ofafa Memorial Hall in Kisumu on Saturday.
The Opposition Doyen, who served as Kenya’s first Vice President four a year and four months, died on 20th January in 1994, while serving as the MP for Bondo Constituency.
His second born son, Raila Odinga, will lead the family for the commemoration event that will kick off with a memorial service at the ACK St. Stephen’s in Kisumu in the morning.
Kisumu Central MP Joshua Oron said Saturday’s events will mark the first time the family is commemorating the death of the Patriarch outside their home in Kang’o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo.
“We are having a special memorial and a special lecture in Kisumu Central, the seat of Nyanza,” he said.
Oron said after the memorial service, the family and friends will then move to Ofafa Memorial Hall along Kisumu-Kakamega road to listen to lectures.
Jaramogi was the founder chair of the Luo Council of Elders and was instrumental in building Ofafa Memorial Hall in Kisumu, which is the venue of his commemoration 30 years after his death.
“The lectures will be done by those who worked closely with Jaramogi and those who he mentored in the political field,” said Oron.
Public lectures
Guests invited to give lectures include John Kamau, a veteran journalist, Dr Olara Otunnu, former cabinet minister in Uganda, and Prof Anyang Nyong’o, Kisumu Governor.
Others are Prof David Throup from George Washington University, the co-author of the book ‘Multi-Party Politics in Kenya’.
Retired Catholic Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth, Mau Mau freedom fighter Gitu wa Kahengeri, former Cabinet Minister and ex-UNCTAD Secretary General Mukhisa Kituyi and Siaya Governor James Orengo will also give lectures..
MP Oron said Nyanza region holds the late Jaramogi in high esteem as the father of democracy.
“He fought for the freedom we are enjoying today,” he said.
The venue of the event has been undergoing renovations.
