The two, known allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, carried a live sheep as a traditional Luo sign of respect and goodwill toward the Odinga family.
Photos circulating on Facebook captured the moment the guests stood beside Oburu in a simple homestead decorated with mourning wreaths.
The setting reflected the somber national mood following the recent death of Raila Odinga, Kenya’s longtime opposition leader and statesman.
The visit came only days after speculation spread online that Gachagua himself was preparing to visit Raila’s grave at Opoda Farm in Siaya County.
Social media was flooded with claims and convoy photos suggesting he was on his way to Bondo. However, the trip never happened.
Gachagua instead attended a church service in Nairobi, putting an end to the rumors. Fact-checkers later confirmed that viral videos showing him at the gravesite were fake and taken from old political events.
Tension had been building within ODM after Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga warned Gachagua not to visit Raila’s resting place. She described such a visit as unwelcome, accusing him of hypocrisy for attacking Raila in the past.
Her remarks echoed the mood of some ODM loyalists who were against the idea of the former deputy president visiting Bondo.
But Raila Odinga Junior, who has been accepted as the new family head, took a different stand. He told mourners that everyone was free to visit his father’s grave and pay their respects.
His calm and inclusive tone contrasted sharply with the defiance of ODM hardliners and drew praise across the political divide.
Gachagua and Raila had long represented opposing sides of Kenya’s politics. During the 2022 elections, Gachagua frequently criticized Raila and vowed never to work with him. Raila, in return, dismissed Gachagua’s leadership as tribal and divisive.
Yet, by early 2025, Gachagua had started softening his tone, even suggesting the possibility of cooperation ahead of 2027.
The visit by his allies now hints at a new chapter of political friendship between former rivals. With Oburu leading ODM and Gachagua’s camp exploring alliances, Kenya may be witnessing the slow rise of a new political order—one born not of competition, but of shared loss and quiet respect.
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