Seeking exposure to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum, the former home of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga? Naicef gives you the best tour of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum Bondo.
The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum is a museum that exhibits the artefacts used by the late Jaramogi Oginga 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.
The entrance has a Lion monument to welcome visitors to the home.
From the entrance, the ‘Simbas’ of Honorable Right Raila Amolo Odinga and Dr. Oburu Odinga are seen. The Simbas in African homes are to show the boys in the home a sign of courage and leadership.
The grave of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga has a Lion headstone to represent the party under which he was the chairman, FORD Kenya.
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 located opposite the grave house.
The house of the first wife was turned into a museum. In addition to the museum, there are gifts, certifications, Oginga Odinga’s personal items and 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 for the mausoleum for 8 million.
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 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 before he ventured into politics. He was famous in Kenya’s struggle for independence.
During that era, he acted as Kenya’s first vice president under the late Jomo Kenyatta government.
In the government of the late Daniel Arap Moi, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga made an attempted coup in 1982 against Moi’s government.
This landed him a house arrest in his home. Later in 1990, he and others tried registering an opposition party but it was all in vain.
In 1991, he co-founded the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD) Kenya. The formation of this party changed Kenya’s political landscape.
Moreover, it ended KANU’s 40 years in power. This was after Jaramogi’s death.
FORD split before the 1992 elections. Odinga had vied for the presidency under the FORD Kenya ticket.
He finished fourth place with 17.5% of the votes. He became a Member of Parliament for the Bondo constituency after losing the presidency.
In 1994, he passed on in Aga Khan Hospital, Kisumu. His body lies at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum in his Bondo home.
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.
Things to do in Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum
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 Items
The late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s walking stick, favourite hats, spectacles 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 impacts 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.
Attractions 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 sitatungas 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 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 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 Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum?
The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum is located in Bondo, 60 kilometres from Kisumu.
2. 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.
3. 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.
To have the best tour in Kenya’s Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum, contact Naicef. We are the best tour company in Kenya because we focus on;
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