Jaramogi Ajuma Oginga Odinga (1911–1994) was a towering figure in Kenya’s struggle for independence and the nation’s first Vice President (1964–1966). Revered as the “Father of Opposition Politics,” he famously authored the autobiography Not Yet Uhuru, arguing that political independence from Britain was meaningless without economic freedom for the masses.
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As of January 11, 2026, his legacy has taken on a somber and historic weight following the passing of his most famous son, Raila Odinga, in late 2025.
Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Jaramogi Ajuma Oginga Odinga |
| Born | October 1911, Bondo, British East Africa |
| Died | January 20, 1994 (Aged 82), Kisumu, Kenya |
| Role | 1st Vice President of Kenya; Founder of the KPU and FORD. |
| Resting Place | Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum, Bondo |
| Famous Quote | “Without democracy, independence has no meaning.” |
2025–2026: A Family Dynasty Concludes
The last few months have been a period of national reflection on the Odinga dynasty, which Jaramogi founded nearly 80 years ago.
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The Death of Raila Odinga (Oct 15, 2025): The “Enigma of Kenyan Politics” and Jaramogi’s son, Raila Odinga, passed away from a heart attack in India at the age of 80. His death marked the end of an era that Jaramogi began.
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The Final Reunion (Oct 19, 2025): In a historic ceremony, Raila was interred at the family homestead, Kang’o Ka Jaramogi, in Bondo. He was buried beside his mother, Mary Juma, and within the same sanctuary that houses Jaramogi’s mausoleum. As of January 2026, the site has become a major pilgrimage destination for Kenyans honoring both the father and the son.
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32nd Memorial (Upcoming Jan 20, 2026): Preparations are currently underway for Jaramogi’s 32nd death anniversary later this month. This year’s memorial is expected to be a joint tribute to the Jaramogi vision and Raila’s lifetime of “Agitation for Reform.”
The Radical Vice President
Jaramogi’s political life was defined by his refusal to compromise on his socialist ideals:
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“No Independence Without Kenyatta”: In a rare show of political selflessness, Jaramogi refused to form a government as Prime Minister in 1961, insisting that the British first release Jomo Kenyatta from detention.
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The Ideological Split: After independence, Jaramogi (who leaned toward the Soviet Union/China) clashed with Kenyatta (who leaned toward the West). Jaramogi advocated for land redistribution and “African Socialism,” while Kenyatta’s cabinet favored a capitalist path.
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Resignation & Detention: In 1966, Jaramogi resigned from the VP role and formed the Kenya People’s Union (KPU). After a violent riot in Kisumu in 1969, Kenyatta banned the party and detained Jaramogi for 18 months, effectively ending his official power but cementing his status as a martyr for democracy.
The “Ker” and the Traditionalist
Before he was a politician, Jaramogi was the “Ker” (traditional leader/king) of the Luo people.
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Economic Empowerment: In 1947, he founded the Luo Thrift and Trading Corporation, an early attempt at collective economic empowerment for Africans under colonial rule.
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The Name: Born Obadiah Adonijah, he famously dropped his Christian names in favor of his African identity, symbolizing his lifelong commitment to cultural and intellectual decolonization.
The 2026 Perspective
In early 2026, Jaramogi is remembered not as a man who sought power for himself, but as the man who taught Kenyans how to disagree with power. His grandson, Raila Junior, was recently spotted carrying Jaramogi’s iconic fly-whisk and wearing his signature hat, signaling that while the patriarch and his greatest son are gone, the “Odingaist” spirit of resistance remains a factor in Kenyan politics.