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The University of Nairobi (UoN) and the Kenya School of Government (KSG) have announced plans to launch dedicated academic centers to honor the legacy of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Speaking at Capitol Hill in Nairobi on Thursday, September 17, 2026, his widow, Mama Ida Odinga, unveiled the institutional partnerships as part of a national framework to mark the first anniversary of his passing.
The two premier national institutions are establishing centers of excellence focused on leadership, governance, and public administration:
- The Raila Odinga Regional Leadership Academy: Formed by the Kenya School of Government, this academy will serve as a center of excellence to foster diligent governance practices and public sector leadership studies.
- The Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga Centre for Democracy (ROCD): Hosted by the University of Nairobi’s Department of Political Science and Public Administration, this hub will drive regional research, scholarship, and public dialogue on democracy in Africa. It is scheduled for an official launch during the anniversary week in October.
Mama Ida expressed deep gratitude for the academic honors. She also officially commissioned a broad-based national steering committee—chaired by political scientist Prof. Adams Oloo and Rarieda MP Dr. Otiende Amollo—to ensure the upcoming celebrations remain inclusive and national in character.
“This celebration does not belong to the committee; it belongs to the people,” Mama Ida stated, emphasizing that the events will offer Kenyans a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the iconic leader’s journey.
The core family-led anniversary week will run from October 10 to 17, culminating in a main memorial service at Kang’o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo on October 15. Concurrently, the ODM party has declared October “Mwezi wa Baba”, rolling out nationwide candle-lighting ceremonies and regional rallies.
