“Life Lost Meaning”: Beryl Odinga’s Daughter Reveals How Raila Odinga’s Death Broke Her Mother

Beryl Odinga’s daughter, Chizi Ambala, eulogised her mother on Wednesday, revealing that she never recovered from the loss of her brother, the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Ambala went ahead to paint a picture of an unbreakable sibling bond, telling how Beryl openly admitted that after Raila passed away, life lost meaning.

Speaking during Beryl’s memorial service at the Consolata Shrine, Chizi told mourners that Raila’s passing shattered her mother. She described the relationship between the two as profoundly close and emotionally inseparable.

“When Baba passed, the first words out of my mom’s mouth were: ‘There is nothing for me on this earth anymore,’” she said.

Chizi said those words reflected the depth of devotion the siblings carried throughout their lives. She recalled stories her mother often narrated about their early years, especially the period when Raila lived as a bachelor in Nairobi West.

According to Chizi, Raila frequently picked up Beryl, brought her to his apartment, and insisted she sleep in his bed while he took the floor.

“That was the kind of love they had,” she said.

Even after Beryl’s marriage ended, Chizi said Raila continued standing by her mother in remarkable ways, offering both emotional and practical support.

She added that Beryl would often speak about their emigration to Zimbabwe-a place that would then form part of the family’s identity and inner life. Chizi described Zimbabwe as her mother’s and uncle’s second home, chosen together as siblings, a place they built shared memories and found comfort.

“It was our home, his escape, and our history,” she said.

Throughout her tribute, Chizi noted that Raila’s presence remained constant in Beryl’s life- in her childhood, adulthood, and even in her final years. She said the two stayed deeply intertwined.

“You often cannot tell how close two people really were until one of them is no longer here,” she told mourners.

Chizi described her mother as intelligent, strong, and fiercely loving. Although the family prayed for her recovery, Chizi revealed that Beryl had grown tired and longed for peace.

“I prayed and prayed, but I now know I was selfish. I wanted her to stay here for me, not realising she had given so much and needed to rest,” she said.

Beryl lived a bold life and made her presence felt at every place she had gone to, her daughter noted. Today, Chizi said she finds comfort in believing her mother has reunited with loved ones who passed before her.

“I will walk with grief for now, but one day grief will leave,” she said, adding that the love she shared with her mother remains stronger than the sorrow.

She added that she’s learning to accept the loss.

“Heaven has taken you while my sorrow has engulfed me. I am grieving, yet I am glad you got to live life on your own terms.”

Chizi further expressed peace in believing that her mother had reunited with family members who passed away earlier, like Raila, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, and Mama Mary.

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