Kisumu: Kaloleni Estate, one of the oldest residential areas in Kisumu City, has fallen silent following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga. The narrow paths that once echoed with chatter and the laughter of children now carry the sound of mourning. Here, Raila's death is not a distant national tragedy but a deeply personal loss. To residents of this historic estate, Raila was more than a political icon; he was one of their own-a neighbour and a son of the soil whose rise to national prominence began right there.
According to Kenya News Agency, at the heart of what is now a crowded informal settlement stands a weather-beaten, semi-permanent house that once belonged to Kenya's first Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. Within these modest walls, Jaramogi raised Raila and his siblings. Its cracked walls and aging timber doors still whisper stories of a simpler time-when Kaloleni was one of Kisumu's most vibrant estates. The dusty playgrounds and familiar alleys where Raila once ran to Kisumu Union Primary School now serve as quiet reminders of a childhood that shaped one of Kenya's most influential leaders.
Since Wednesday, when Raila's death was announced, residents gather in small groups outside their homes, trading memories of the boy who would one day become a champion of democracy and an enduring voice for justice. Elders recall Jaramogi family's humility and his easy rapport with neighbors despite its towering political stature. Abdi Yunus, who has lived in Kaloleni since the 1950s, noted that Jaramogi mingled freely with locals, and his children, including Raila, played alongside others without distinction.
'That humility is something Raila carried throughout his life. He was a tall, healthy, and active child who made friends easily, both with children and the elderly,' Yunus said. He recalls Raila joining other boys in hunting rabbits and engaging in local games. 'Those memories are still fresh,' he added. Even after rising to the top ranks of government, residents say Raila never detached himself from Kaloleni. From time to time, he would return to the estate to share his vision for the country and engage with old friends.
Mohammed Juma, another long-time resident, said Raila maintained close ties with his childhood neighborhood. 'Before every election, Raila would come here, meet us, and share his plans for the nation. He valued our opinions and never forgot where he came from,' he said. Juma added that Raila's sudden death has left a deep void in the estate that proudly regarded him as one of their own.
Former Kisumu City Mayor and Kaloleni/Shauri Moyo Member of County Assembly (MCA) Priscah Misachi described Raila as a peace-loving and development-conscious leader who fought for justice and equality for all Kenyans. 'Raila would always return your call-even if he had missed it. That's how grounded he was. He never forgot people, no matter who they were,' she said. Misachi called on residents and mourners expected to view the body in Kisumu on Saturday to maintain peace and honor Raila with dignity.
As the nation prepares for Raila's final journey, with his body expected to arrive in Kisumu on Saturday morning for public viewing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, Kaloleni stands ready to bid farewell to its most famous son.