As the Odinga family prepares to mark the first anniversary of Raila Odinga’s death, attention has turned to the arrangements for the memorial service in Bondo, Siaya County. The expected attendance of President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta has raised questions about their respective roles at the ceremony.

The Daily Nation reported on October 12, 2026, that the family faced a protocol dilemma over Uhuru’s proposed role as chief guest while Ruto was also expected to attend. The issue has drawn attention to the organisation of the anniversary, although the final programme and the attendance of both leaders remain to be confirmed.

Taifa Leo reported that Uhuru’s communications secretary, Kanze Dena-Mararo, had not confirmed whether the former president would attend. The uncertainty leaves questions about the final arrangements unanswered, as organisers prepare for an event expected to attract leaders from across Kenya’s political divide.

The memorial is planned for Kang’o ka Jaramogi, the Odinga family’s ancestral home in Bondo. The gathering is intended to honour Raila’s life and political contribution, while bringing together leaders who worked with him, supported him or opposed him during different stages of his political career.

The Standard reported on the dedication of Raila’s mausoleum on October 7, an earlier ceremony attended by Ruto and members of the Odinga family. That event formed part of the preparations to commemorate the former prime minister and highlighted the continued participation of national leaders in remembering his legacy.

The interest surrounding Ruto and Uhuru’s possible attendance is also linked to their political history. Uhuru supported Raila in the 2022 presidential election, while Ruto contested against the former prime minister after serving as Uhuru’s deputy. Their different political positions have continued to attract public attention, making the arrangements for the anniversary a subject of interest beyond Bondo.

The Standard also reported on Winnie Odinga’s appeal for a political ceasefire during the anniversary period. Her message called for the occasion to focus on remembering her father rather than becoming another platform for political confrontation. The appeal places emphasis on the importance of allowing the family and other attendees to commemorate Raila without unnecessary political distractions.

Coverage by Citizen Digital and KBC has also highlighted calls for leaders from different political backgrounds to join in remembering Raila. Such participation would reflect the breadth of his influence in Kenyan politics, which extended beyond his own political allies. The final programme, however, will determine how the invited leaders participate in the ceremony.

For the Odinga family, the immediate task is to ensure that the memorial honours Raila’s contribution to the country while managing the arrangements surrounding the expected guests. Decisions about speaking roles and protocol may attract attention, but they remain secondary to the purpose of the gathering.

As the anniversary approaches, attention will remain on whether Ruto and Uhuru confirm their attendance and how the organisers handle their respective roles. Until the family confirms the final programme, those details remain unresolved. The memorial will provide an opportunity for Kenyans to reflect on Raila’s political legacy, even as questions about the participation of the country’s senior leaders continue to draw interest.