Kamba elders offered 100 cows and bulls to the Odinga family in a symbolic dowry ceremony. The gesture signifies renewed political bonding between Kalonzo Musyoka and the late Raila Odinga’s family.
The offering of 100 healthy cows and bulls by Kamba elders to Mama Ida Odinga and the Jaramogi family was more than a cultural act; it was a symbol of continuity, honour, and political commitment.
The cattle were delivered to the Odinga homestead in Bondo, a place that has long served as the ceremonial ground for national political alliances and transitions.
For many observers, the event looked like a visit to console Mama Ida following the passing of Raila Odinga. However, seasoned analysts describe the gesture as a strategic reaffirmation of political loyalty between Kalonzo and the Odinga lineage.
Kalonzo Musyoka and Raila Odinga have shared a complex political journey: Between 2006 and 2012, the two leaders were locked in intense competition over the succession of President Mwai Kibaki. Their rivalry was shaped by the belief, later proven miscalculated, that ICC-indicted leaders Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto were constitutionally barred from contesting the presidency. When Kibaki eventually sided with Uhuru and Ruto, both Raila and Kalonzo found themselves navigating a new political landscape.
This led to the formation of a long-term partnership, where Kalonzo served repeatedly as Raila’s running mate in 2013, 2017 and 2022, solidifying one of Kenya’s most enduring political collaborations.
With Raila’s passing, the dowry gesture signals Kalonzo’s intention to maintain and perhaps lead the political tradition Raila championed.
“The bond between our communities is historical. The journey continues,” was the message repeated by Wiper elders at the ceremony.
The act places Kalonzo in a position of continuity rather than departure a contrast to other political actors who have made smaller, more individualised visits to the Odinga home.
However, not all gestures have landed smoothly.
A recent proposal to rename Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui in honour of Raila Odinga was met with resistance from local leaders and residents, who argued that local heritage must be handled with public consultation and consensus.
Members of the County Assembly publicly opposed the proposal, stating they would reject it if tabled, signalling that political symbolism must align with grounded community sentiment.
The dowry ceremony positions Kalonzo as a key custodian of Raila’s political legacy, but sustaining that mantle will require Careful balancing of national and regional interests. Clear messaging to Ukambani constituents. Strategic coalition-building as national succession politics evolve.
Kalonzo now stands at a decisive moment to either consolidate and lead the coalition Raila built, or risk the ground shifting beneath him as new alignments take shape.
