The death of former Prime Minister and opposition leader Raila Amollo Odinga has sparked an outpouring of grief across the nation, with leaders and citizens alike paying tribute to a man who shaped Kenya’s political landscape for decades. However, not everyone has joined in glorifying his legacy. One of the most controversial voices to speak out is that of lawyer and political activist Dr. Miguna Miguna.
In a post that quickly went viral, Miguna expressed his condolences in a rather unconventional way. He stated, “I don’t mourn him as a hero. Just as a human being.” The statement, though brief, carried a tone that divided Kenyans online. Some viewed it as a reflection of deep-seated personal truths, while others saw it as unnecessarily harsh at a time of national mourning.
Miguna Miguna’s relationship with Raila Odinga has always been complicated. The two shared both friendship and fierce rivalry. Miguna once served as Raila’s close political ally and even his adviser during the coalition government years. He stood by Raila during the controversial 2017 general election and was famously sworn in as the “People’s President” at Uhuru Park—a move that saw Miguna arrested and forcefully deported to Canada.
After that fallout, Miguna became one of Raila’s strongest critics. He accused the ODM leader of betrayal following the 2018 “handshake” between Raila and former President Uhuru Kenyatta, claiming it marked the death of opposition politics in Kenya. From then on, Miguna consistently attacked Raila’s leadership style and political decisions, branding him a hypocrite and a self-serving politician.
Even in death, Miguna’s remarks show that his opinion of Raila had not softened. To him, Raila was not a political hero deserving of glorification but a flawed man whose decisions, in his view, derailed Kenya’s democratic journey. However, Miguna also acknowledged his humanity, suggesting that his statement was not one of hatred but of realism.
Online, Kenyans reacted sharply to Miguna’s post. Supporters of Raila condemned the lawyer, saying his timing was insensitive and disrespectful to the Odinga family. Others defended Miguna, arguing that he had the right to express his honest opinion, especially given his long and turbulent history with the late leader.
Regardless of where one stands, Miguna’s words once again highlight the polarizing nature of Raila Odinga’s legacy. To some, Raila remains a champion of democracy and a symbol of resistance. To others, he was a political opportunist who failed to deliver the change he so passionately preached.
As the nation mourns Raila Odinga, Miguna Miguna’s blunt statement serves as a reminder that even in death, leaders are remembered in many different ways—some with reverence, others with criticism—but always as human beings whose actions shaped history.
