By Waren Christopher
Some residents of Kisumu are calling on Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s administration to erect a statue of the late Raila Odinga at the Kondele roundabout, days after his death and burial in Bondo.
Led by Sospeter Obungu Owich, Bunge La Mwananchi leader in Kisumu, the residents say once put up, the monument will serve as a legacy for the key role Odinga, popularly known as Baba, played in shaping Kenya’s political landscape.
"We are calling upon the leadership of this county to see to it that a statue of Baba is erected immediately in Kondele,” Obungu said.
For those wondering why Kondele, the vocal political activist said, "Kondele being the epicenter of Luo-Nyanza politics, we must have that statue there as quickly as possible. Let them work on the supplementary budget and put that statue there for Baba."
In a passionate address during Mashujaa Day celebrations at the Jaramogi Odinga Sports Ground Kisumu on Monday, Obungu eulogized the late Odinga as the nation’s foremost hero.
The event, charged with emotion, served as a continuation of mourning and celebration of the life of the departed ODM leader, with speakers urging unity and warning against political opportunism in the wake of his passing.
He warned against the ‘clamor by some politicians’ to take over as Nyanza kingpin, noting that the regions’ kingpin, just like Raila and his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga before him is “never elected but assumes the role naturally.”
"This is not the time to start throwing words. This is not the time to start calling yourself a kingpin," he asserted. "This is the time to unite together and still mourn Baba. We are not celebrating his death; we are celebrating his life."
His call for erection of Raila’s statue was echoed by Dave Odhiambo, Suna West Parliamentary seat aspirant, only that he wants the statue erected at Posta grounds, in Migori county.