Event to mark 25 years since Jaramogi's death underway

People will gather in Kisumu Saturday and Sunday to mark 25 years since Jaramogi Oginga Odinga's death. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

A ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of the death of Kenya’s first Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga is currently underway in Kisumu.

ODM leader Raila Odinga is expected to lead the event aimed at celebrating the legacy of his father who championed for democracy.

Jaramogi’s eldest son Oburu Odinga said the celebration will begin Saturday afternoon with a public session at the Grand Royal Swiss Hotel in Kisumu city.

The East African Legislative Assembly legislature said the family chose Kisumu, because the lakeside city provided a key role in his father’s political career.

“The key speaker will be Prof Ahmed Muhdin a figure who closely worked with Jaramogi for many years and ends tomorrow with inter-denominational prayers to be held at St Stephens ACK in Milimani from 10am,” he said.

The public forum at Tom Mboya Labour College Sunday will give historians and elders a platform to tell stories of Jaramogi and showcase the Luo culture.

The fete that was to be celebrated on January 20 was postponed after Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, who is the host, fell sick during the installation of Archbishop Philip Anyolo.

The Odinga family last month marked an in Bondo which was attended by President