The family of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and the committee coordinating his first death anniversary commemorations have warned Kenyans against individuals allegedly soliciting funds in the name of the celebrations.
Speaking on Thursday, October 1, Anniversary Steering Committee chairperson Adams Oloo said the family and committee had received reports of people moving around seeking financial contributions for activities marking Raila’s first death anniversary.
Oloo clarified that neither the family nor the National Steering Committee was conducting any fundraising for the commemorations.
The committee urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and avoid contributing money to individuals claiming to be collecting funds on behalf of the family or the committee.
According to Oloo, Kenyans were free to organise their own activities in honour of the departed former Prime Minister, provided they did not solicit funds using the name of Raila’s family or the National Steering Committee.
"Everyone is warmly welcomed to celebrate Raila in the best way they can, provided that no funds are raised in the name of the family or the national steering committee, because we already got information that it is happening," Oloo stated.
The family said the warning was issued as a precaution to prevent individuals from taking advantage of the period of remembrance for personal benefit.
"We make this request out of an abundance of caution so that no one may misuse this well-intended season of remembrance for personal gain," the committee added.
The warning came as the family officially opened a month-long programme of activities to commemorate one year since Raila's death.
"The family officially opens the month of celebrations marking the first anniversary of Raila's demise. We call on everyone to remember him with love and the ideals he lived with, including democracy, justice and commitment to one Kenya," the family said.
Raila's first death anniversary will be marked throughout October, with activities planned by his family, the National Steering Committee and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
ODM is scheduled to kick off its programme on October 2 with a nationwide candle-lighting ceremony and a major event at Uhuru Park in Nairobi.
The official family-led candle-lighting ceremony will be held on Wednesday, October 14, at Raila's resting place at Kang'o Ka Jaramogi in Bondo.
The family has invited Raila's supporters and members of the public from Kenya and abroad to attend the ceremony and commemorate the former Prime Minister.
Raila died on October 15, 2025, while undergoing medical treatment in India. He was 80 years old at the time of his demise, which prompted widespread mourning across Kenya, with political leaders, government officials and members of the public paying tribute to the veteran politician and former Prime Minister.
The month-long commemorations are expected to bring together Raila's supporters and members of the public to remember his political career and reflect on the legacy he left behind.
