Editor's Review

Raila Odinga's wife stated that Fidel's death shocked the entire family and they have not been able to fill the void left by his departure.

Ida Odinga has penned an emotional tribute to her late son Fidel Odinga who died on January 4, 2015.

In a lengthy post, Ida indicated that she was still struggling to accept that her son was no more. Raila Odinga's wife stated that Fidel's death shocked the entire family and they have not been able to fill the void left by his departure.

"It is 9 today! Unbelievably fast! But that was always you, my Son Fidel Castro Makarios Odhiambo Odinga. From the first day I carried you, to the many months you spent on my laps as a baby, you always wanted to be your own man, so you could protect us. Then you grew up tall, loving, caring, happy and incomparably kind. I still remember you in these ways. We still remember you in these ways," Ida stated.

File image of the late Fidel Odinga. PHOTO | COURTESY

"Nine years later, I have struggled to accept something that these years without you have taught me. That perhaps, you may have just lived enough because you lived so right. Your passing away, no doubt, shook me and shook us. Nothing in this world, will ever be able to replace your presence around us," she added.

She reminisced the happy memories and lessons which Fidel enshrined and how he was kind to all family members.

Ida vowed to continue championing the values Fidel embraced before his death.

"But in 9 years, we are realising that in the 41 years of your life, you banked with us an enormous amount of wonderful memories."

"We haven't exhausted your account of affectionate smiles. We haven't withdrawn even half of the sweet names you called us, the wonderful praises you showered us. And with a motherly pride, I don't think I will ever exhaust the "Mommy" names you called me."

On January 4, 2015, Fidel was found dead at his home in Karen Nairobi. His sudden death caused a storm prompting police to launch investigations into the cause of his demise.

Before his death, Fidel was considered a political force who was touted to take over the mantle of leadership from his father Raila Odinga.