Want to enjoy and tour Raila Odinga’s Burial site and see the great lineage of the great Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum?
Here is where the Odinga family grew, their simba, wives’ houses, family burial site, Oginga’s first house, artifacts & gallery.
If you need a personalized tour, Naicef gives you the best tour to the Raila Odiga Burial site, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum, and all attractions in Bondo.
The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum is a museum that exhibits the artefacts used by the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and the final resting place for Kenya’s former prime minister, Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga.
This guide shows you the history, interesting facts, and things to do at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum.
For the best museum tours, contact my@naicef.com or +254799922277
Interesting Facts About Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum
This majestic mausoleum was once home to the first vice president of Kenya, the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
This home is also known as Kang’o Ka Jaramogi. Meaning a place of unification and a stone for the first wife.
The entrance has a Lion monument to welcome visitors to the home. A great sign of Jaramogi & Raila’s courage and leadership.
From the entrance, the ‘Simbas’ of Honorable Right Raila Amolo Odinga and Dr. Oburu Odinga are seen.
The Simbas in African homes sought to empower the boys in the home to become courageous and take leadership. Trails run down in this family.
The grave of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga also has a Lion headstone that is a symbol of Ford Kenya party. The party that Jaramogi led as chairman.
The grave house of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga is also a few steps from the main gate. The house of his first wife is opposite the grave house in honor of her position as the matriarch.
The house of the first wife was also turned into a museum due to its cultural significance.
In addition to the museum, there are gifts, certifications, Oginga Odinga’s personal items, and the art of famous world leaders and celebrities.
History of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum
The Mausoleum was opened on January 20, 1995, by the former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo.
In 2018, the former president of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, visited the mausoleum.
In 2019, the National Museums of Kenya began rehabilitation of the mausoleum for 8 million to protect its significance.
The museum was constructed a year after the death of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Who Was Jaramogi Oginga Odinga?
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was born in Bondo in 1911. He went to Maseno School and Alliance High School, then joined Makerere University in 1940. In 1948, he joined the Kenya African Union (KAU).
To empower the Luo people of Kenya, Oginga Odinga started the Luo Thrift and Trading Corporation in 1947.
With time, Odinga aimed to strengthen the union between the Luo people in East Africa. This act earned him admiration and the name Ker.
Ker was a title held by Ramogi Ajwang, who reigned 400 years before Oginga Odinga. Oginga Odinga vowed to uphold the ideals of Ramogi.
Odinga then came to be known as Jaramogi (Man of the people of Ramogi)
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was once a businessman leading the Luo Thrift and Trading Corporation before he ventured into politics. He was famous in Kenya’s struggle for independence.
After the struggle for independence, he acted as Kenya’s first vice president under the late Jomo Kenyatta’s government.
In the government of the late Daniel Arap Moi, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was joined by his Son, the Late Raila Odinga, who attempted a coup in 1982 against Moi’s government.
This landed him and Raila arrest. Later in 1990, he was released and registered an opposition party that empowered Raila to fight for Multiparty governance.
President Moi never supported multipartyism, and so he was put under house arrest and detained.
In 1991, Raila co-founded the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD) Kenya. The formation of this party changed Kenya’s political landscape.
This made FORD end KANU’s 40 years in power as a one-party nation. It also brought multiparty leadership and a struggle for democracy.
FORD split before the 1992 elections, Jaramogi vied for the presidency under the FORD Kenya ticket.
He finished in fourth place with 17.5% of the votes behind Moi, Matiba, and Kibaki respectively. However, Jaramogi became a Member of Parliament for the Bondo constituency after losing the presidency.
In 1994, Jaramogi passed on in Aga Khan Hospital, Kisumu. He was transferred and buried in his home, the current Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum.
Interestingly, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was polygamous with four wives. The wives are Mary Juma, Gaudencia Adeya, Susan Agik, and Betty Adongo.
He had 19 children with his wives.
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was one of the signatories of the agreement to convene a convention for drafting a world constitution.
Jaramogi was known for the phrase ‘Not Yet Uhuru’, which is the title of his autobiography in 1967.
‘Uhuru’ is a Swahili name meaning Freedom.
What is Raila Odinga known for?
Raila Odinga is known for his courage, fight for democracy, and multiparty leadership in Kenya. He vied for president for the first time in 1997 after the death of his father in 1994.
He later vied for the presidency in 2007, 2013, 2017, and his last trial was in 2022 before he died in 2025.
However, Raila Odinga’s 2007 elections, which saw him cling closer to the presidency, led him to become the second prime minister of Kenya from 2008 to 2013.
Raila Odinga Burial Site
Raila Odinga’s burial site is in Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum, Bondo in Siaya County. It is good to note that this is where his son, Fidel Castro, was buried, and many other family members.
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum, Kangó Ka Jaramogi, is a home of great significance.
Things to do in Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum & Raila Burial Site
Being a mausoleum in Oginga’s homestead, there are things to do. Below are what to expect to see in the mausoleum.
1. See Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s Personal Stuff
Here you will see late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s walking stick, favourite hats, spectacles, briefcase, bed, and pictures of him in business.
Moreover, there are gifts from other countries like India and China. There are also certifications of acknowledgement of the Honorable Raila Amolo Odinga.
2. Explore The Houses of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s Wives
The first wife’s house, Mikayi, is opposite the grave house of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
The First Wife’s House has a hall of fame featuring famous world leaders and celebrities who have made an impact in their generation.
Famous world leaders include Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama, and many others.
Celebrities like Bob Marley and Elvis Presley have their pictures up on these walls of fame.
Moreover, the house is now a museum with stuffed animals showing the rich wildlife heritage of Kenya.
The history of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga is within these walls. In addition, the museum displays a KANU shield with the words ‘Nyayo’
3. Visit The Odinga Graveyard
This graveyard is where the Odinga family members are buried when they pass on.
It is located behind the main houses.
4. Artifact Center
Jaramogi and Raila loved artifacts, and so here you find a great collection, including dried animals and wildlife.
5. Main House & Gallery
Here you will find hundreds of pictures from Jaramogi’s friends, family to Raila family and lineage.
Attractions in Bondo & Near Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum
1. Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa. Moreover, it is the world’s largest tropical lake and the second-largest freshwater lake in the world.
Therefore, this lake supports the largest freshwater fishery in the world.
The distance from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum to Lake Victoria is 113 kilometres.
2. Yala Swamp
Found along the shores of Lake Victoria, the Yala swamp is a birdwatcher’s paradise. It is also a habitat for the endangered Sitatunga antelopes.
Saiwa Swamp National Park is known for its rare sitatunga population.
3. Lake Kanyaboli National Reserve
This lake is the second-largest oxbow lake in Africa. In addition, this lake is surrounded by Akara hills and Yala wetlands.
Birdlife International classifies this swamp as Kenya’s 60 Important Bird Areas.
4. Usenge Beach
The white sandy shoreline is compared with the Mombasa sandy beaches. This beach is located on the shores of Lake Victoria, giving it the perfect shore ambience.
This place is great for sunsets, wind tides, and the refreshing Lake Victoria breeze.
5. Ndanu falls
These falls attract hikers, photographers, and nature lovers. Colobus monkeys and hippos are mainly found here.
6. Kit Mikayi
Kit Mikayi rock is a historic stone found in Kisumu County.
The history of this stone will astonish you. Moreover, this place was and is still a sacred place for the Luo people of Kenya.
The trees around the rocks are natural herbs used to treat ailments. Therefore, they attract herbalists from all over to come and get these herbs.
Accommodations Near Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum
Where to stay around the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum includes
- Bondo Pride Hotel
- The Loch Hotel Bondo
- Saydbeach hotel
- Green Court Hotel
- Siaya Country Club
Frequently Asked Questions about Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum
1. Where is Raila Odinga’s Burial Site
Raila Odinga’s burial site is in Bondo, Siaya County, next to his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
2. Where is Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Buried?
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga is buried in Bondo, Siaya County. His graveyard is a museum.
3. Where is Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum?
The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum is located in Bondo, 60 kilometres from Kisumu.
4. What was the main contribution of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga?
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was the first Vice President of Kenya. Moreover, he was the first co-founder and chairman of FORD Kenya.
5. What is seen in Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum?
What is seen inside this mausoleum are books, gifts, certifications, awards, personal items, stuffed animals, corridors of fame and historical artefacts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum carries the rich history of the Odingas and internationally at large. The best features of the museum include
- Kit Mikayi
- Ndanu falls
- Got Ramogi hill
- Lake Kanyaboli National Reserve.
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