Ida Odinga’s touching message to her late son Fidel

When a parent buries their child, the pain they feel is indescribable. Even after laying them to rest, the sting of a life cut short continues to burn, and it is made worse on special occasions.

On Monday, Ida and Raila Odinga’s first born son, Fidel, who passed on in January 2015, would have turned 42.

To celebrate his life, his mother posted an emotional message on her official Facebook page saying:

“Fidel Castro Odhiambo Odinga. Obange wuod nyar Gem, 42 years ago was the happiest day of my life. God had just blessed us with a bouncing baby boy.

Today is the first time we celebrate your birthday without you being physically present, but you are ably represented by your son Allay who is a mirror image of you and your wife Lwam.

Fondly missed by your dad, your sisters Rozzy and Winnie, your brother Raila Junior and Yvonne, Your nieces Saphie and Semnayi, your entire family and friends.

Constantly in our thoughts and forever in our prayers. Until we meet again. Happy birthday, Nind mokwe wuod nayar Gem”

-Mum

Fidel Odinga passed on January 4^th 2014 at his Bel Air Country Homes residence, only hours after coming back from a night out in Westlands.

He had been driven home at about 4am by a Smart Fellas taxi driver in his Range Rover Autobiography, Registration Number KCA 026V.

Shortly after arriving at his house, his wife, Lwam Gatachaw Bekele, who was nursing their baby, was woken up by a commotion. When she checked in on her husband, she found Fidel in distress. Lwam then called her parents-in-law, Raila and Ida, who left their Kerarapon home and rushed to the residence.

A doctor was called to attend to the ailing Fidel, but he passed away before being transferred to hospital.

The announcement of his sudden death caused civil unrest in Nairobi. Violent protestors went on rampage around Nairobi’s Kibera slum. They pelted motorists with stones and blocked roads before being dispersed by police.

Fidel’s funeral service was held at All Saints Cathedral, and it was attended by thousands of mourners. Among those present were President Uhuru Kenyatta, Cabinet Secretaries, legislators, governors, deputy governors and representatives from various countries.

Mourners were moved to tears when Fidel’s widow, Lwam Getachew Bekele, eulogised her late husband. Lwam, who spoke briefly, was overcome by emotion as she read a touching tribute she had penned to her late husband.

“I would like to thank everyone for being here. My love where do I even begin? Six years ago I met my 6ft prince charming, your generous spirit will go a long way, you melted my heart with your kindness, the swiftness of your departure remains shocking to me, but I cannot question God. Till we meet again. My love.  My husband.”

It is still unclear what caused Fidel’s death.